VBK vs VIG
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
Which is better, VBK or VIG?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VIG over 5Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%.
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 | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $23.2B | $111.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.48% |
| Holdings | 553 | 335 |
| YTD Return | +10.60%Best | +8.37% |
| 1Y Return | +13.31%Best | +11.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.92%Best | +15.70% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.67% | +10.43%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -48.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,975 | $16,422Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 33.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Apr 21, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2006 to Sep 17, 2026 (20.4 years).
VBK vs VIG 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
VBK vs VIG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +13.31% while VIG returned +11.70%. Year to date, VBK is up 10.60% versus a gain of 8.37% for VIG.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +15.92% per year against +15.70% for VIG; over five years the annualized figures are +3.67% and +10.43% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +8.50% annualized vs +8.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 13.3% for VIG. 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 -48.2% for VIG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VIG charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VBK currently yields 0.44% against 1.48% for VIG.
Holdings Overlap
10.1% of VBK's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 1.8% of VIG's money is in holdings VBK also owns.
VBK and VIG share little of their money.
43 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 322 in VIG, against full books of 553 and 335.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 259 positions for VIG that do not appear in our book for VBK (97.6% of the fund), and 483 for VBK that do not appear in VIG (83.0%).
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 VIG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASYCaseys General | 0.80% | 0.14% | 0.66% |
| RBA:CARb Global, Inc | 0.59% | 0.09% | 0.50% |
| BWXTBwx Technologies, Inc. | 0.49% | 0.07% | 0.42% |
| LIILennox International Inc | 0.49% | 0.06% | 0.43% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.46% | 0.07% | 0.39% |
| NDSNNordson Corp | 0.44% | 0.07% | 0.37% |
| LECOLincoln Electric Holdings Inc | 0.40% | 0.06% | 0.34% |
| WSOWatsco Inc | 0.40% | 0.05% | 0.35% |
| TPLTexas Pacific Land Trust | 0.35% | 0.10% | 0.25% |
| SOLSSolstice Advanced Materials Inc | 0.39% | 0.04% | 0.35% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBK and VIG 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 VIG?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VIG charges 0.04%. VIG is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBK or VIG?
Over the past year VBK returned +13.31% vs +11.70% for VIG, so VBK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VBK annualized +8.50% vs +8.46% for VIG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VIG?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: VBK -59.4% vs VIG -48.2%.
Should I hold both VBK and VIG?
VBK and VIG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 VIG?
10.1% of VBK's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 1.8% of VIG's is in holdings VBK also owns. They hold 43 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 322 in VIG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VIG?
VBK yields 0.44% while VIG yields 1.48%, so VIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VIG better than VBK?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VIG over 5Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.