VB vs VBR
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF
Which is better, VB or VBR?
Small Cap Blend against Small Cap Value.
VB has a lower expense ratio. VB led over 3Y and the full window, VBR over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VB is less concentrated, with 4.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 5.9%.
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 | VBR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $79.7B | $37.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 1.76% |
| Holdings | 1,319 | 847 |
| YTD Return | +11.98% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.45% | +16.90%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.91%Best | +15.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.03% | +9.38%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9%Best | 19.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -61.0%Best | -64.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,045 | $15,656Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.3%Best | 5.9% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Value |
| 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 VBR 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 VBR Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (VB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VB returned +15.45% while VBR returned +16.90%. Year to date, VB is up 11.98% versus a gain of 12.88% for VBR.
Over three years, VB compounded at +15.91% per year against +15.87% for VBR; over five years the annualized figures are +7.03% and +9.38% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VB has the edge at +8.57% annualized vs +7.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% 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 -64.0% for VBR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. 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 VBR 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 1.76% for VBR.
Holdings Overlap
58.9% of VB's money is in holdings VBR also owns. 98.8% of VBR's money is in holdings VB also owns.
Most of VBR is already inside VB. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
831 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 836 in VBR, against full books of 1,319 and 847.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for VBR that do not appear in our book for VB (0.5% of the fund), and 454 for VB that do not appear in VBR (36.8%).
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 VBR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBLJabil, Inc. | 0.49% | 0.87% | 0.38% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 0.37% | 0.66% | 0.29% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.35% | 0.63% | 0.28% |
| ATOAtmos Energy Corp | 0.34% | 0.61% | 0.27% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.33% | 0.59% | 0.26% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 0.44% | 0.39% | 0.05% |
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 0.30% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| SWR:IESmurfit Westrock Plc | 0.29% | 0.52% | 0.23% |
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.28% | 0.50% | 0.22% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.27% | 0.48% | 0.21% |
98.8% of VBR 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 VBR?
VB has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VBR charges 0.05%. VB is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VB or VBR?
Over the past year VB returned +15.45% vs +16.90% for VBR, so VBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VB annualized +8.57% vs +7.78% for VBR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VB or VBR?
VBR has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 18.9% for VB. Worst drawdown: VB -61.0% vs VBR -64.0%.
Should I hold both VB and VBR?
VB and VBR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 VBR?
98.8% of VBR's money is in holdings VB also owns. 98.8% of VBR's is in holdings VB also owns. They hold 831 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 836 in VBR.
Which pays a higher dividend, VB or VBR?
VB yields 1.21% while VBR yields 1.76%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VBR better than VB?
VB has a lower expense ratio. VB led over 3Y and the full window, VBR over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VB is less concentrated, with 4.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 5.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.