VXUS vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) is Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 9.19%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for BRK-B. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VXUS vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) 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, VXUS achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -2.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VXUS has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 9.19%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 13.19% annualized return.

VXUS

• 1D: -3.73%
• 1M: -3.02%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

BRK-B

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: -2.89%
• 6M: -3.21%
• 1Y: -0.12%
• 3Y*: 13.55%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

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

VXUS vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	10.17%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-2.89%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and BRK-B is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09
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	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2011	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between VXUS and BRK-B has dropped to 0.09 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 50
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 54

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 38
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 32
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

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

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

	VXUS	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	-0.01	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	0.09	+2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.01	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	-0.01	+2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.11	-0.03	+9.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXUS vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXUS 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

	VXUS	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	-0.01	+1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.63	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.68	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.48	-0.11

Drawdowns

VXUS vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum BRK-B drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXUS	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-53.86%	+17.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-9.42%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.58%	-14.95%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.44%	-26.58%	-2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-29.57%	-6.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.52%	-9.57%	+5.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-11.07%	+2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	4.47%	-1.58%

Volatility

VXUS vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.16% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 4.08%. This indicates that VXUS'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

	VXUS	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.16%	4.08%	+2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.58%	10.87%	+2.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.67%	14.39%	+1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	17.13%	-1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.19%	19.43%	-2.24%

Dividends

VXUS vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, 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%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.75%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VXUS and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VXUS or BRK-B?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to BRK-B (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -0.01), 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.