VBK vs VGK
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF
Which is better, VBK or VGK?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VGK over 5Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 18.4%.
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 | VBK | VGK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $23.7B | $31.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 545 | 1,250 |
| YTD Return | +12.63%Best | +3.87% |
| 1Y Return | +13.91%Best | +10.68% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.67%Best | +17.38% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.91% | +9.03%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4%Best | -67.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,708 | $15,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.9%Best | 18.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 2005 to Oct 9, 2026 (21.6 years).
VBK vs VGK 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 21.6 years both funds cover.
VBK vs VGK Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +13.91% while VGK returned +10.68%. Year to date, VBK is up 12.63% versus a gain of 3.87% for VGK.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +17.67% per year against +17.38% for VGK; over five years the annualized figures are +4.91% and +9.03% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +9.27% annualized vs +3.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 18.5% for VGK. 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 -59.4% for VBK and -67.3% for VGK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VGK charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $6 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VBK currently yields 0.44% against 2.81% for VGK.
Holdings Overlap
1.7% of VBK's money is in holdings VGK also owns. 0.7% of VGK's money is in holdings VBK also owns.
VBK and VGK share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 532 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 1,101 in VGK, against full books of 545 and 1,250.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 11 positions for VGK that do not appear in our book for VBK (2.3% of the fund), and 514 for VBK that do not appear in VGK (92.4%).
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 VBK | Weight in VGK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 1.71% | 0.71% | 1.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBK and VGK 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, VBK or VGK?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VGK charges 0.06%. VBK is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBK or VGK?
Over the past year VBK returned +13.91% vs +10.68% for VGK, so VBK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VBK annualized +9.27% vs +3.34% for VGK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VGK?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 18.5% for VGK. Worst drawdown: VBK -59.4% vs VGK -67.3%.
Should I hold both VBK and VGK?
VBK and VGK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VBK and VGK?
1.7% of VBK's money is in holdings VGK also owns. 0.7% of VGK's is in holdings VBK also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 532 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 1,101 in VGK.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VGK?
VBK yields 0.44% while VGK yields 2.81%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGK better than VBK?
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VGK over 5Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 18.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.