VSS vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VSS returned 8.49%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VSS vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) 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, VSS achieves a 10.04% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VSS has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 8.49%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 13.22% annualized return.

VSS

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: -2.09%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 12.05%
• 1Y: 23.45%
• 3Y*: 15.73%
• 5Y*: 5.58%
• 10Y*: 8.49%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: -2.67%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: -0.22%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

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

VSS vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	10.04%	29.61%	2.94%	15.52%	-21.48%	13.05%	11.81%	21.36%	-18.48%	30.61%
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 VSS 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	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2009	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between VSS and BRK-B has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VSS vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 49
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 51

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) 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.

	VSS	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	-0.02	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	0.08	+2.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.01	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	-0.02	+2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.61	-0.05	+7.66

VSS vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSS Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSS 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.

Drawdowns

VSS vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSS drawdown since its inception was -43.51%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSS and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSS	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.51%	-53.86%	+10.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.62%	-9.42%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.73%	-14.95%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.93%	-26.58%	-7.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.51%	-29.57%	-13.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.05%	-9.36%	+6.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.63%	-11.07%	+1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	4.53%	-1.44%

Volatility

VSS vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a higher volatility of 6.52% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.95%. This indicates that VSS'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

	VSS	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.52%	3.95%	+2.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	10.78%	+2.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.60%	14.38%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.59%	17.12%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.30%	19.44%	-2.14%

Dividends

VSS vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VSS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.08%, 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%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.08%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VSS 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, VSS or BRK-B?

VSS has higher volatility (6.52%) compared to BRK-B (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSS dropped -43.51% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 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.