VBK vs VNQ
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Real Estate ETF
Which is better, VBK or VNQ?
Small Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.8%.
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 | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.13% |
| AUM | $23.2B | $39.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 3.49% |
| Holdings | 553 | 144 |
| YTD Return | +10.45%Best | +7.02% |
| 1Y Return | +11.44%Best | +4.62% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.03%Best | +9.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.05%Best | +1.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7%Best | 21.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4%Best | -75.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,196Best | $10,646 |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 49.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Sep 23, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2004 to Sep 18, 2026 (22 years).
VBK vs VNQ 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 years both funds cover.
VBK vs VNQ Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +11.44% while VNQ returned +4.62%. Year to date, VBK is up 10.45% versus a gain of 7.02% for VNQ.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +16.03% per year against +9.04% for VNQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.05% and +1.26% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +9.57% annualized vs +3.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.4% compared with 19.7% for VBK. 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 -75.8% for VNQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VNQ charges 0.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $13 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VBK currently yields 0.44% against 3.49% for VNQ.
Holdings Overlap
3.6% of VBK's money is in holdings VNQ also owns. 9.7% of VNQ's money is in holdings VBK also owns.
VNQ and VBK share little of their money.
21 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 139 in VNQ, against full books of 553 and 144.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 542 and 139 positions we hold weights for.
VBK holds 504 positions VNQ does not, 88.9% of the fund.
Largest: RVMD 1.04%, ALAB 1.02%, NTRA 1.01%, TWLO 0.86%, CRS 0.80%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VBK | Weight in VNQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUISun Communities Inc. | 0.41% | 0.92% | 0.51% |
| WYWeyerhaeuser Co. | 0.24% | 1.09% | 0.85% |
| ELSEquity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. | 0.34% | 0.73% | 0.39% |
| UDRUdr Inc. | 0.36% | 0.68% | 0.32% |
| LAMRLamar Advertising Co | 0.19% | 0.83% | 0.64% |
| AHRAmerican Healthcare REIT Inc | 0.30% | 0.65% | 0.35% |
| CSGPCostar Group Inc. | 0.16% | 0.73% | 0.57% |
| CTRECaretrust Reit Inc Reit Usd.01 | 0.26% | 0.57% | 0.31% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 0.21% | 0.49% | 0.28% |
| EPRTEssential Properties Realty Trust Inc | 0.18% | 0.40% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBK and VNQ 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 VNQ?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VNQ charges 0.13%. VBK is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBK or VNQ?
Over the past year VBK returned +11.44% vs +4.62% for VNQ, so VBK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VBK annualized +9.57% vs +3.84% for VNQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VNQ?
VNQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.4% annualized versus 19.7% for VBK. Worst drawdown: VBK -59.4% vs VNQ -75.8%.
Should I hold both VBK and VNQ?
VBK and VNQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 VNQ?
9.7% of VNQ's money is in holdings VBK also owns. 9.7% of VNQ's is in holdings VBK also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 139 in VNQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VNQ?
VBK yields 0.44% while VNQ yields 3.49%, so VNQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNQ better than VBK?
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.