VBK vs VONG
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF
Which is better, VBK or VONG?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.3%.
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 | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $23.2B | $51.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 553 | 373 |
| YTD Return | +10.45%Best | +4.84% |
| 1Y Return | +11.44%Best | +6.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.03% | +22.07%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.05% | +12.70%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.8% | -32.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,196 | $18,181Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 54.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
VBK vs VONG 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 16 years both funds cover.
VBK vs VONG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +11.44% while VONG returned +6.77%. Year to date, VBK is up 10.45% versus a gain of 4.84% for VONG.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +16.03% per year against +22.07% for VONG; over five years the annualized figures are +4.05% and +12.70% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.61% annualized vs +11.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.9% for VONG. 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 -38.8% for VBK and -32.7% for VONG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VONG 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 0.46% for VONG.
Holdings Overlap
47.9% of VBK's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 4.1% of VONG's money is in holdings VBK also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
144 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 371 in VONG, against full books of 553 and 373.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 191 positions for VONG that do not appear in our book for VBK (95.5% of the fund), and 383 for VBK that do not appear in VONG (47.3%).
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 VONG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRDO:KYCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 1.24% | 0.13% | 1.11% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 1.02% | 0.22% | 0.80% |
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 1.04% | 0.11% | 0.93% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 1.01% | 0.11% | 0.90% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corpcommon Stock | 0.80% | 0.09% | 0.71% |
| CASYCaseys General | 0.80% | 0.08% | 0.72% |
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 0.86% | 0.01% | 0.85% |
| FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd | 0.76% | 0.08% | 0.68% |
| ATIAti Inc | 0.74% | 0.08% | 0.66% |
| CWCurtiss-wright Corp | 0.77% | 0.04% | 0.73% |
47.9% of VBK is already inside VONG.
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, VBK or VONG?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VONG charges 0.06%. VBK is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBK or VONG?
Over the past year VBK returned +11.44% vs +6.77% for VONG, so VBK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VBK annualized +11.10% vs +15.61% for VONG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VONG?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VBK -38.8% vs VONG -32.7%.
Should I hold both VBK and VONG?
VBK and VONG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 VONG?
47.9% of VBK's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 4.1% of VONG's is in holdings VBK also owns. They hold 144 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 371 in VONG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VONG?
VBK yields 0.44% while VONG yields 0.46%, so VONG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VONG better than VBK?
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.