VB vs VBK
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, VB or VBK?
Small Cap Blend against Small Cap Growth.
VB has a lower expense ratio. VB led over 1Y and 5Y, VBK over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. VB is less concentrated, with 4.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 9.1%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VB | VBK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $79.7B | $23.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 1,319 | 553 |
| YTD Return | +11.98%Best | +10.60% |
| 1Y Return | +15.45%Best | +13.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.91% | +15.92%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.03%Best | +3.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9%Best | 19.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -61.0% | -59.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,045Best | $11,975 |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.3%Best | 9.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 17, 2026 (22.6 years).
VB vs VBK growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 22.6 years both funds cover.
VB vs VBK Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (VB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VB returned +15.45% while VBK returned +13.31%. Year to date, VB is up 11.98% versus a gain of 10.60% for VBK.
Over three years, VB compounded at +15.91% per year against +15.92% for VBK; over five years the annualized figures are +7.03% and +3.67% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +9.06% annualized vs +8.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 18.9% for VB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -61.0% for VB and -59.4% for VBK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VB charges 0.03% per year while VBK charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VB currently yields 1.21% against 0.44% for VBK.
Holdings Overlap
44.8% of VB's money is in holdings VBK also owns. 96.2% of VBK's money is in holdings VB also owns.
Most of VBK is already inside VB. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
536 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 542 in VBK, against full books of 1,319 and 553.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for VBK that do not appear in our book for VB (0.9% of the fund), and 726 for VB that do not appear in VBK (51.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VB | Weight in VBK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRDO:KYCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 0.54% | 1.24% | 0.70% |
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 0.45% | 1.04% | 0.59% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 0.45% | 1.02% | 0.57% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 0.44% | 1.01% | 0.57% |
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 0.38% | 0.86% | 0.48% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corpcommon Stock | 0.35% | 0.80% | 0.45% |
| CASYCaseys General | 0.35% | 0.80% | 0.45% |
| CWCurtiss-wright Corp | 0.34% | 0.77% | 0.43% |
| ENTGEntegris Inc Common Stock Usd 0.01 | 0.33% | 0.75% | 0.42% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.33% | 0.75% | 0.42% |
96.2% of VBK is already inside VB.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VB or VBK?
VB has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VBK charges 0.05%. VB is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VB or VBK?
Over the past year VB returned +15.45% vs +13.31% for VBK, so VB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VB annualized +8.57% vs +9.06% for VBK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VB or VBK?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 18.9% for VB. Worst drawdown: VB -61.0% vs VBK -59.4%.
Should I hold both VB and VBK?
VB and VBK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VB and VBK?
96.2% of VBK's money is in holdings VB also owns. 96.2% of VBK's is in holdings VB also owns. They hold 536 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 542 in VBK.
Which pays a higher dividend, VB or VBK?
VB yields 1.21% while VBK yields 0.44%, so VB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VBK better than VB?
VB has a lower expense ratio. VB led over 1Y and 5Y, VBK over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. VB is less concentrated, with 4.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 9.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.