VBR vs VIG
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
Which is better, VBR or VIG?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VBR led over 1Y, VIG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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 | VBR | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $37.3B | $111.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.76% | 1.48% |
| Holdings | 847 | 335 |
| YTD Return | +12.02%Best | +8.31% |
| 1Y Return | +14.52%Best | +11.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.64% | +15.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.62% | +10.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.0% | -48.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,829 | $16,639Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.9%Best | 33.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | 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 18, 2026 (20.4 years).
VBR 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.
VBR vs VIG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBR returned +14.52% while VIG returned +11.70%. Year to date, VBR is up 12.02% versus a gain of 8.31% for VIG.
Over three years, VBR compounded at +15.64% per year against +15.76% for VIG; over five years the annualized figures are +9.62% and +10.72% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VIG has the edge at +8.45% annualized vs +6.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% 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 -64.0% for VBR 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBR 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, VBR currently yields 1.76% against 1.48% for VIG.
Holdings Overlap
18.8% of VBR's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 4.3% of VIG's money is in holdings VBR also owns.
VBR and VIG share little of their money.
115 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 322 in VIG, against full books of 847 and 335.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 185 positions for VIG that do not appear in our book for VBR (95.0% of the fund), and 687 for VBR that do not appear in VIG (77.7%).
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 VBR | Weight in VIG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATOAtmos Energy Corp | 0.61% | 0.12% | 0.49% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.59% | 0.12% | 0.47% |
| JBHTJb Hunt Transport Services Inc. | 0.47% | 0.09% | 0.38% |
| CHRWCH Robinson Worldwide | 0.45% | 0.08% | 0.37% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.41% | 0.09% | 0.32% |
| STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. | 0.34% | 0.15% | 0.19% |
| CDWCDW Corporation | 0.38% | 0.08% | 0.30% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 0.36% | 0.07% | 0.29% |
| MASMasco Corp. | 0.35% | 0.06% | 0.29% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 0.32% | 0.06% | 0.26% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBR 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, VBR or VIG?
VBR 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, VBR or VIG?
Over the past year VBR returned +14.52% vs +11.70% for VIG, so VBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VBR annualized +6.99% vs +8.45% for VIG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBR or VIG?
VBR has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: VBR -64.0% vs VIG -48.2%.
Should I hold both VBR and VIG?
VBR and VIG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 VBR and VIG?
18.8% of VBR's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 4.3% of VIG's is in holdings VBR also owns. They hold 115 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 322 in VIG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBR or VIG?
VBR yields 1.76% while VIG yields 1.48%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VIG better than VBR?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VBR led over 1Y, VIG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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.