VTSIX vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTSIX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Institutional Shares) is Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VTSIX returned 10.82%/yr vs 12.91%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VTSIX vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Institutional Shares (VTSIX) 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, VTSIX achieves a 16.66% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -5.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSIX has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 10.82%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 12.91% annualized return.

VTSIX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 2.71%
• YTD: 16.66%
• 6M: 15.44%
• 1Y: 32.97%
• 3Y*: 14.85%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: 10.82%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: -5.43%
• 6M: -5.61%
• 1Y: -4.51%
• 3Y*: 13.00%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: 12.91%

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

VTSIX vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSIX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Institutional Shares	16.66%	5.96%	8.64%	15.99%	-16.14%	27.12%	11.09%	23.30%	-8.59%	13.08%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-5.43%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSIX and BRK-B is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 1999	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between VTSIX and BRK-B has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VTSIX vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSIX

VTSIX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VTSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VTSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VTSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VTSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 23
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 23
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Institutional Shares (VTSIX) 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.

	VTSIX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	-0.32	+2.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	-0.34	+3.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	0.96	+0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.11	-0.48	+4.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	-1.02	+14.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTSIX vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSIX 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

	VTSIX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	-0.32	+2.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.60	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.67	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.48	-0.03

Drawdowns

VTSIX vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSIX drawdown since its inception was -57.81%, which is greater than BRK-B's maximum drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSIX and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSIX	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.81%	-53.86%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.59%	-9.42%	+0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.92%	-14.95%	-12.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.92%	-26.58%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.86%	-29.57%	-14.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.00%	-11.94%	+11.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.93%	-11.07%	+2.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	4.57%	-1.99%

Volatility

VTSIX vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Institutional Shares (VTSIX) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.75%. This indicates that VTSIX'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

	VTSIX	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	3.75%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	10.68%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.54%	14.33%	+3.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	17.11%	+4.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.11%	19.43%	+3.68%

Dividends

VTSIX vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VTSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, 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%
VTSIX Vanguard Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund Institutional Shares	1.17%	1.31%	1.47%	1.52%	1.54%	1.19%	1.11%	1.17%	1.29%	1.13%	1.03%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VTSIX and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTSIX or BRK-B?

VTSIX has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to BRK-B (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSIX dropped -57.81% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs -0.32), 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.