VB vs VO
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF
Which is better, VB or VO?
Small Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VB led over 1Y, VO over 3Y, 5Y 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 | VO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $79.7B | $106.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 1.30% |
| Holdings | 1,319 | 289 |
| YTD Return | +11.98%Best | +10.32% |
| 1Y Return | +15.45%Best | +12.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.91% | +15.96%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.03% | +7.27%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 16.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.0% | -60.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,045 | $14,203Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.3%Best | 9.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| 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 VO 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 VO Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (VB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VB returned +15.45% while VO returned +12.10%. Year to date, VB is up 11.98% versus a gain of 10.32% for VO.
Over three years, VB compounded at +15.91% per year against +15.96% for VO; over five years the annualized figures are +7.03% and +7.27% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VO has the edge at +9.02% annualized vs +8.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 16.9% for VO. 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 -60.3% for VO. 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 VO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VB currently yields 1.21% against 1.30% for VO.
Holdings Overlap
4.0% of VB's money is in holdings VO also owns. 2.9% of VO's money is in holdings VB also owns.
VB and VO share little of their money.
30 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 283 in VO, against full books of 1,319 and 289.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 247 positions for VO that do not appear in our book for VB (94.4% of the fund), and 1,217 for VB that do not appear in VO (90.5%).
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 VO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 0.45% | 0.23% | 0.22% |
| FLEX:SIFlex Ltd | 0.36% | 0.20% | 0.16% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 0.20% | 0.16% | 0.04% |
| STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. | 0.19% | 0.17% | 0.02% |
| CNCCentene | 0.19% | 0.15% | 0.04% |
| QQnity Electronics Inc | 0.20% | 0.13% | 0.07% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 0.17% | 0.12% | 0.05% |
| TPLTexas Pacific Land Trust | 0.15% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
| NINisource Inc. | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.04% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VB and VO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VB or VO?
VB has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VB or VO?
Over the past year VB returned +15.45% vs +12.10% for VO, so VB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VB annualized +8.57% vs +9.02% for VO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VB or VO?
VB has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 16.9% for VO. Worst drawdown: VB -61.0% vs VO -60.3%.
Should I hold both VB and VO?
VB and VO 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 VO?
4.0% of VB's money is in holdings VO also owns. 2.9% of VO's is in holdings VB also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 283 in VO.
Which pays a higher dividend, VB or VO?
VB yields 1.21% while VO yields 1.30%, so VO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VO better than VB?
VB led over 1Y, VO over 3Y, 5Y 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.