VBK vs VT
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, VBK or VT?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over the full window, VT over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $23.2B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 553 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +11.54% | +13.90%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.71% | +18.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.72% | +21.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.15% | +11.44%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.5% | 16.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.2% | -50.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,255 | $17,187Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Jun 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 21, 2026 (18.2 years).
VBK vs VT 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
VBK vs VT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +12.71% while VT returned +18.20%. Year to date, VBK is up 11.54% versus a gain of 13.90% for VT.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +17.72% per year against +21.78% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +4.15% and +11.44% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +9.51% annualized vs +7.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -54.2% for VBK and -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VT 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 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 88.7% of VBK's money is in holdings VT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VT, our book for it covers 90.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VBK is already inside VT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
423 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 9,272 in VT, against full books of 553 and 10,133.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VBK | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRDO:KYCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 1.24% | 0.03% | 1.21% |
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 1.04% | 0.03% | 1.01% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 1.02% | 0.04% | 0.98% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 1.01% | 0.03% | 0.98% |
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 0.86% | 0.03% | 0.83% |
| CASYCaseys General | 0.80% | 0.03% | 0.77% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corpcommon Stock | 0.80% | 0.02% | 0.78% |
| CWCurtiss-wright Corp | 0.77% | 0.02% | 0.75% |
| FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd | 0.76% | 0.02% | 0.74% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.75% | 0.02% | 0.73% |
88.7% of VBK is already inside VT.
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 VT?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VT charges 0.06%. VBK is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBK or VT?
Over the past year VBK returned +12.71% vs +18.20% for VT, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VBK annualized +9.51% vs +7.30% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VT?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VBK -54.2% vs VT -50.6%.
Should I hold both VBK and VT?
VBK and VT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 VT?
At least 88.7% of VBK's money is in holdings VT also owns. Our book for VT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 423 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 9,272 in VT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VT?
VBK yields 0.44% while VT yields 1.55%, so VT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than VBK?
VBK has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over the full window, VT over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.