VTSMX vs. BRK-A

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VTSMX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while BRK-A (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX returned 14.85%/yr vs 12.93%/yr for BRK-A. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTSMX achieves a 11.11% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-A's -4.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX has outperformed BRK-A with an annualized return of 14.85%, while BRK-A has yielded a comparatively lower 12.93% annualized return.

VTSMX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 4.06%
• YTD: 11.11%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 21.68%
• 5Y*: 12.43%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

BRK-A

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 2.64%
• YTD: -4.82%
• 6M: -4.81%
• 1Y: -2.63%
• 3Y*: 12.92%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

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

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	11.11%	16.63%	22.76%	26.38%	-19.60%	25.59%	20.87%	30.63%	-5.27%	21.05%
BRK-A Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-4.82%	10.85%	25.49%	15.77%	4.00%	29.57%	2.42%	10.98%	2.82%	21.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSMX and BRK-A is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 1992	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between VTSMX and BRK-A has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VTSMX vs. BRK-A — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSMX

VTSMX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VTSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VTSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VTSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VTSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

BRK-A

BRK-A Risk / Return Rank: 30
BRK-A Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-A Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-A Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-A Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
BRK-A Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A). 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.

	VTSMX	BRK-A	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	-0.19	+2.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	-0.17	+3.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	0.98	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	-0.29	+3.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.54	-0.60	+15.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the BRK-A Sharpe Ratio of -0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSMX and BRK-A, 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

	VTSMX	BRK-A	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	-0.19	+2.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.61	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.68	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.82	-0.24

Drawdowns

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSMX drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, which is greater than BRK-A's maximum drawdown of -51.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSMX and BRK-A.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSMX	BRK-A	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.38%	-51.47%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-9.12%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.63%	-14.43%	-5.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	-25.98%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-30.43%	-4.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-11.23%	+10.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.90%	-9.52%	+0.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	4.39%	-2.46%

Volatility

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) is 3.05%, while Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A) has a volatility of 3.58%. This indicates that VTSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRK-A based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSMX	BRK-A	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	3.58%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.21%	10.42%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	13.84%	-1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	17.15%	+0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	18.97%	-0.56%

Dividends

VTSMX vs. BRK-A - Dividend Comparison

VTSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, while BRK-A has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-A 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%
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	0.94%	0.75%	0.89%	1.33%	1.54%	1.11%	1.33%	1.67%	1.92%	1.61%	1.83%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTSMX and BRK-A in my portfolio?

VTSMX and BRK-A have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTSMX or BRK-A?

BRK-A has higher volatility (3.58%) compared to VTSMX (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSMX dropped -55.38% vs BRK-A's -51.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs -0.19), 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.