VB vs VXF
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VB or VXF?
Small Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VB has a lower expense ratio. VB led over 1Y and 5Y, VXF over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $79.7B | $30.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 1,319 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +11.98% | +12.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.45%Best | +14.15% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.91% | +18.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.03%Best | +6.02% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.0% | -59.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,045Best | $13,395 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 17, 2026 (22.6 years).
VB vs VXF 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 VXF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (VB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VB returned +15.45% while VXF returned +14.15%. Year to date, VB is up 11.98% versus a gain of 12.23% for VXF.
Over three years, VB compounded at +15.91% per year against +18.46% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +7.03% and +6.02% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +8.93% 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 18.8% for VXF. 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 VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. 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 VXF 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 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 75.7% of VB's money is in holdings VXF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXF, our book for it covers 94.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VB is already inside VXF. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,156 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 3,296 in VXF, against full books of 1,319 and 3,385.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VB | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 0.45% | 0.73% | 0.28% |
| CRDO:KYCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 0.54% | 0.50% | 0.04% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 0.44% | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 0.45% | 0.42% | 0.03% |
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 0.38% | 0.35% | 0.03% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corpcommon Stock | 0.35% | 0.35% | 0.00% |
| MKSIMks Instruments Inc | 0.36% | 0.34% | 0.02% |
| CWCurtiss-wright Corp | 0.34% | 0.32% | 0.02% |
| ENTGEntegris Inc Common Stock Usd 0.01 | 0.33% | 0.31% | 0.02% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.33% | 0.31% | 0.02% |
75.7% of VB is already inside VXF.
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 VXF?
VB has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXF charges 0.05%. VB is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VB or VXF?
Over the past year VB returned +15.45% vs +14.15% for VXF, so VB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VB annualized +8.57% vs +8.93% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VB or VXF?
VB has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 18.8% for VXF. Worst drawdown: VB -61.0% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both VB and VXF?
VB and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VXF?
At least 75.7% of VB's money is in holdings VXF also owns. Our book for VXF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,156 positions in common, counted across the 1,302 positions we hold weights for in VB and 3,296 in VXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VB or VXF?
VB yields 1.21% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VB?
VB has a lower expense ratio. VB led over 1Y and 5Y, VXF over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.