VOOG vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VOOG returned 17.80%/yr vs 13.14%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOOG achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -3.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VOOG has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 17.80%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 13.14% annualized return.

VOOG

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 9.55%
• 1Y: 29.06%
• 3Y*: 26.66%
• 5Y*: 15.20%
• 10Y*: 17.80%

BRK-B

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: -3.11%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -1.32%
• 3Y*: 13.25%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.14%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.10%	22.11%	35.89%	29.96%	-29.48%	31.95%	33.35%	30.93%	-0.21%	27.19%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-3.11%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VOOG and BRK-B is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.56

The correlation between VOOG and BRK-B shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.56 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VOOG vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 55
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 55

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 35
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 30
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 37

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VOOG	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	-0.09	+1.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	-0.03	+2.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.00	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	-0.14	+2.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	-0.30	+9.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOOG and BRK-B, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VOOG	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	-0.09	+1.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.65	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.68	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.48	+0.41

Drawdowns

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOOG drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOOG and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOOG	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-53.86%	+21.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-9.42%	-4.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.18%	-14.95%	-7.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-26.58%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.73%	-29.57%	-3.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.28%	-9.78%	+5.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-11.07%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	4.49%	-1.16%

Volatility

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.98%. This indicates that VOOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOOG	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	3.98%	+1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.04%	10.87%	+2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	14.38%	+1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	17.13%	+4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.77%	19.44%	+1.33%

Dividends

VOOG vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.45%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOOG and BRK-B in my portfolio?

VOOG and BRK-B have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOOG or BRK-B?

VOOG has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to BRK-B (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOOG dropped -32.73% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -0.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.