VTI vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.04%/yr vs 12.93%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VTI vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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, VTI achieves a 11.72% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -4.78% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 15.04%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 12.93% annualized return.

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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)

VTI vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
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 VTI and BRK-B is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2001	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between VTI and BRK-B has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VTI vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

	VTI	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	-0.18	+2.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	-0.15	+3.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	0.98	+0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	-0.27	+3.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.94	-0.57	+15.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTI vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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

	VTI	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	-0.18	+2.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.61	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.67	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.48	+0.03

Drawdowns

VTI vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, roughly equal to the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-53.86%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-9.42%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-14.95%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-26.58%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-29.57%	-5.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-11.33%	+11.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.03%	-11.07%	+3.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	4.46%	-2.53%

Volatility

VTI vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 2.90%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that VTI 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

	VTI	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	3.72%	-0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.13%	10.70%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.17%	14.32%	-2.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	17.11%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.30%	19.43%	-1.13%

Dividends

VTI vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VTI and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTI or BRK-B?

BRK-B has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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.