VSPVX vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSPVX (Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares) is Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VSPVX returned 11.80%/yr vs 12.93%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VSPVX vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPVX) 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, VSPVX achieves a 7.45% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -4.78% return. Over the past 10 years, VSPVX has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 11.80%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 12.93% annualized return.

VSPVX

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 7.45%
• 6M: 8.02%
• 1Y: 21.56%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 11.80%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 2.82%
• YTD: -4.78%
• 6M: -4.89%
• 1Y: -2.52%
• 3Y*: 13.36%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

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

VSPVX vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSPVX Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.45%	12.62%	11.99%	22.39%	-5.33%	24.80%	1.23%	31.84%	-9.02%	15.28%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-4.78%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VSPVX and BRK-B is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2014	0.76

Over the past year, the correlation between VSPVX and BRK-B has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.76, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VSPVX vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSPVX

VSPVX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VSPVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VSPVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VSPVX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VSPVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VSPVX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 31
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPVX) 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.

	VSPVX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	-0.18	+2.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	-0.15	+3.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	0.98	+0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	-0.27	+3.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.08	-0.57	+13.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSPVX vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSPVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSPVX 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

	VSPVX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	-0.18	+2.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.61	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.67	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.48	+0.15

Drawdowns

VSPVX vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSPVX drawdown since its inception was -37.05%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSPVX and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSPVX	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.05%	-53.86%	+16.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-9.42%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.91%	-14.95%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-26.58%	+8.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.05%	-29.57%	-7.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-11.33%	+10.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.06%	-11.07%	+7.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	4.46%	-2.83%

Volatility

VSPVX vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSPVX) is 2.10%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that VSPVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSPVX	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	3.72%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.07%	10.70%	-3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.81%	14.32%	-4.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.45%	17.11%	-2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	19.43%	-2.36%

Dividends

VSPVX vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VSPVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, 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%
VSPVX Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.69%	1.35%	2.12%	1.70%	2.21%	1.88%	2.46%	2.12%	2.73%	2.18%	2.30%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VSPVX and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSPVX or BRK-B?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to VSPVX (2.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSPVX dropped -37.05% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSPVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs -0.18), 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.