VBK vs VOT
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, VBK or VOT?
Small Cap Growth against Mid Cap Growth.
VBK led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VOT over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%.
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 | VOT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Tie | 0.05%Tie |
| AUM | $23.2B | $19.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.60% |
| Holdings | 553 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +10.45%Best | +4.24% |
| 1Y Return | +11.44%Best | +0.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.03%Best | +14.38% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.05% | +4.53%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4%Best | -60.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,196 | $12,480Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 20.9% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Aug 17, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.1 years).
VBK vs VOT 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 20.1 years both funds cover.
VBK vs VOT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +11.44% while VOT returned +0.42%. Year to date, VBK is up 10.45% versus a gain of 4.24% for VOT.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +16.03% per year against +14.38% for VOT; over five years the annualized figures are +4.05% and +4.53% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +9.33% annualized vs +9.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 18.5% for VOT. 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 -60.3% for VOT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VOT charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $5 annually. On income, VBK currently yields 0.44% against 0.60% for VOT.
Holdings Overlap
3.8% of VBK's money is in holdings VOT also owns. 2.8% of VOT's money is in holdings VBK also owns.
VBK and VOT share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 123 in VOT, against full books of 553 and 129.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 108 positions for VOT that do not appear in our book for VBK (95.7% of the fund), and 514 for VBK that do not appear in VOT (89.0%).
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 VOT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 1.02% | 0.55% | 0.47% |
| FLEX:SIFlex Ltd | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.06% |
| TPLTexas Pacific Land Trust | 0.35% | 0.27% | 0.08% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 0.33% | 0.25% | 0.08% |
| INSMInsmed Inc | 0.32% | 0.24% | 0.08% |
| ASTSAst Spacemobile Inc Class A | 0.35% | 0.19% | 0.16% |
| BURLBurlington Stores Inc | 0.27% | 0.26% | 0.01% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 0.23% | 0.19% | 0.04% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 0.19% | 0.14% | 0.05% |
| CSGPCostar Group Inc. | 0.16% | 0.13% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBK and VOT 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 VOT?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VOT charges 0.05%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VBK or VOT?
Over the past year VBK returned +11.44% vs +0.42% for VOT, so VBK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VBK annualized +9.33% vs +9.31% for VOT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VOT?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 18.5% for VOT. Worst drawdown: VBK -59.4% vs VOT -60.3%.
Should I hold both VBK and VOT?
VBK and VOT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 VBK and VOT?
3.8% of VBK's money is in holdings VOT also owns. 2.8% of VOT's is in holdings VBK also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 123 in VOT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VOT?
VBK yields 0.44% while VOT yields 0.60%, so VOT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOT better than VBK?
VBK led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VOT over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.