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VPU vs. BRK-B
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VPU vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) is Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VPU returned 9.06%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VPU vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 4.93% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VPU has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 9.06%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 13.22% annualized return.

VPU

1D
1.15%
1M
-0.86%
YTD
4.93%
6M
5.15%
1Y
12.62%
3Y*
13.65%
5Y*
9.17%
10Y*
9.06%

BRK-B

1D
0.71%
1M
1.07%
YTD
-2.67%
6M
-2.06%
1Y
0.35%
3Y*
13.30%
5Y*
11.27%
10Y*
13.22%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VPU vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		4.93%16.46%23.04%-7.45%1.06%17.40%-0.74%24.89%4.38%12.44%
BRK-B
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.		-2.67%10.89%27.09%15.46%3.31%28.95%2.37%10.93%3.01%21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VPU and BRK-B is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.21

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.34

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.42

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.36

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.37

The correlation between VPU and BRK-B shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.42 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Often compared with VPU:
VPU vs. XLUVPU vs. FUTYVPU vs. VOOVPU vs. IDUVPU vs. SPYVPU vs. VUIAXVPU vs. SCHD
Often compared with BRK-B:
BRK-B vs. SPYBRK-B vs. VOOBRK-B vs. BRK-ABRK-B vs. QQQBRK-B vs. ^NDXBRK-B vs. VTIBRK-B vs. VGT

Return for Risk

VPU vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VPU
VPU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
Martin Ratio Rank
BRK-B
BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 3434
Sortino Ratio Rank
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

VPUBRK-BDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.83
-0.02

+0.85

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.20
0.08

+1.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.01

+0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.34

-0.02

+1.37

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.91

-0.05

+2.96

VPU vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPU 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.

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Drawdowns

VPU vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and BRK-B.

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Drawdown Indicators

VPUBRK-BDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.31%

-53.86%

+7.55%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.90%

-9.42%

+0.52%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.34%

-14.95%

-2.39%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.15%

-26.58%

+1.43%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.42%

-29.57%

-6.85%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.69%

-9.36%

+3.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.78%

-11.07%

+3.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.10%

4.53%

-0.43%

Volatility

VPU vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a higher volatility of 5.55% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.95%. This indicates that VPU'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.

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Volatility by Period

VPUBRK-BDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.55%

3.95%

+1.60%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.52%

10.78%

+0.74%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.41%

14.38%

+0.03%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.07%

17.12%

-0.05%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.13%

19.44%

-0.31%

Dividends

VPU vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		2.64%2.73%3.02%3.49%2.98%2.70%3.17%2.83%3.23%3.18%3.19%3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

VPU and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VPU has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPU dropped -46.31% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

VPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 vs -0.02), 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.

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