VRTS vs. VB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VRTS (Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.) is a stock, while VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) is Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, VRTS returned 9.32%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for VB. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VRTS vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (VRTS) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTS achieves a -5.85% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 14.95% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTS has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 9.32%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.27% annualized return.

VRTS

• 1D: 5.62%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: -5.85%
• 6M: -3.43%
• 1Y: -6.96%
• 3Y*: -5.00%
• 5Y*: -9.31%
• 10Y*: 9.32%

VB

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 6M: 14.33%
• 1Y: 29.78%
• 3Y*: 17.69%
• 5Y*: 7.25%
• 10Y*: 11.27%

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

VRTS vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTS Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.	-5.85%	-22.12%	-5.56%	30.90%	-33.50%	38.98%	82.52%	56.62%	-29.81%	-0.99%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	14.95%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-17.51%	17.57%	19.19%	27.34%	-9.34%	16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTS and VB is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	0.63

The correlation between VRTS and VB shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VRTS vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTS

VRTS Risk / Return Rank: 33
VRTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VRTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VRTS Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VRTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VRTS Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 60
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

VRTS vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (VRTS) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	VRTS	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	1.84	-2.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	2.63	-2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.32	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	3.33	-3.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.31	12.27	-12.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTS vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTS Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTS and VB, 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

	VRTS	VB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	1.84	-2.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.26	0.35	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.53	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.44	-0.01

Drawdowns

VRTS vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTS drawdown since its inception was -74.36%, which is greater than VB's maximum drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTS and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTS	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.36%	-59.56%	-14.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.95%	-8.98%	-29.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.59%	-25.36%	-21.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.50%	-28.15%	-27.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.70%	-42.05%	-16.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.29%	0.00%	-46.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.46%	-8.44%	-23.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.32%	2.43%	+19.89%

Volatility

VRTS vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (VRTS) has a higher volatility of 11.61% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 4.34%. This indicates that VRTS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTS	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.61%	4.34%	+7.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.55%	11.73%	+14.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.62%	16.25%	+18.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.96%	20.75%	+15.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.62%	21.42%	+17.20%

Dividends

VRTS vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

VRTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.35%, more than VB's 1.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.19%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%
VRTS Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.	6.35%	5.61%	3.60%	2.83%	3.21%	1.33%	1.30%	1.91%	2.39%	1.56%	1.52%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTS and VB in my portfolio?

VRTS and VB have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTS or VB?

VRTS has higher volatility (11.61%) compared to VB (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTS dropped -74.36% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs -0.20), 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.