VPMCX vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VPMCX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VPMCX returned 17.54%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VPMCX vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) 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, VPMCX achieves a 25.53% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VPMCX has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 17.54%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 13.19% annualized return.

VPMCX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 7.67%
• YTD: 25.53%
• 6M: 26.74%
• 1Y: 58.87%
• 3Y*: 28.17%
• 5Y*: 16.22%
• 10Y*: 17.54%

BRK-B

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: -2.89%
• 6M: -3.21%
• 1Y: -0.12%
• 3Y*: 13.55%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

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

VPMCX vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	25.53%	29.60%	13.23%	28.16%	-15.22%	21.64%	17.16%	27.78%	-1.99%	28.17%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.89%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VPMCX and BRK-B is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 1996	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between VPMCX and BRK-B has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VPMCX vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPMCX

VPMCX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VPMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 38
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 32
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) 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.

	VPMCX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.66	-0.01	+3.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.95	0.09	+4.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.01	+0.63
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.00	-0.01	+5.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.04	-0.03	+23.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPMCX vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPMCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.66, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPMCX 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

	VPMCX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66	-0.01	+3.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	0.63	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	0.68	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.48	+0.32

Drawdowns

VPMCX vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPMCX drawdown since its inception was -50.45%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPMCX and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPMCX	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.45%	-53.86%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-9.42%	-2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.56%	-14.95%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-26.58%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.65%	-29.57%	-3.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-9.57%	+9.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.40%	-11.07%	+3.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	4.47%	-1.93%

Volatility

VPMCX vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares (VPMCX) has a higher volatility of 5.85% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 4.08%. This indicates that VPMCX'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

	VPMCX	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.85%	4.08%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.83%	10.87%	+1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.02%	14.39%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.25%	17.13%	+1.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.18%	19.43%	-0.25%

Dividends

VPMCX vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VPMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.03%, 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%
VPMCX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Investor Shares	13.03%	16.36%	6.62%	7.16%	9.85%	10.08%	9.74%	7.15%	8.32%	4.53%	5.05%	5.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VPMCX and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPMCX or BRK-B?

VPMCX has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to BRK-B (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPMCX dropped -50.45% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs -0.01), 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.