VBR vs VONG
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF
Which is better, VBR or VONG?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
VBR has a lower expense ratio. VBR led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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 | VBR | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $37.3B | $51.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.76% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 847 | 373 |
| YTD Return | +12.32%Best | +7.39% |
| 1Y Return | +15.68%Best | +7.38% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.72% | +24.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.73% | +13.19%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.0% | -32.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,908 | $18,580Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.9%Best | 54.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | 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 21, 2026 (16 years).
VBR 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.
VBR vs VONG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBR returned +15.68% while VONG returned +7.38%. Year to date, VBR is up 12.32% versus a gain of 7.39% for VONG.
Over three years, VBR compounded at +16.72% per year against +24.42% for VONG; over five years the annualized figures are +9.73% and +13.19% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.77% annualized vs +9.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% 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 -47.0% for VBR 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBR 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, VBR currently yields 1.76% against 0.46% for VONG.
Holdings Overlap
10.1% of VBR's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 0.9% of VONG's money is in holdings VBR also owns.
VBR and VONG share little of their money.
50 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 371 in VONG, against full books of 847 and 373.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 277 positions for VONG that do not appear in our book for VBR (98.6% of the fund), and 752 for VBR that do not appear in VONG (86.4%).
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 VONG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBLJabil, Inc. | 0.87% | 0.12% | 0.75% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 0.66% | 0.09% | 0.57% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.63% | 0.09% | 0.54% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 0.39% | 0.11% | 0.28% |
| STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. | 0.34% | 0.01% | 0.33% |
| MKSIMks Instruments Inc | 0.32% | 0.01% | 0.31% |
| CSLCsl Ltd. - Adr | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| RBRKRubrik Inc-A | 0.26% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBR and VONG 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 VONG?
VBR has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VONG charges 0.06%. VBR is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBR or VONG?
Over the past year VBR returned +15.68% vs +7.38% for VONG, so VBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VBR annualized +9.97% vs +15.77% for VONG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBR or VONG?
VBR has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VBR -47.0% vs VONG -32.7%.
Should I hold both VBR and VONG?
VBR and VONG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 VONG?
10.1% of VBR's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 0.9% of VONG's is in holdings VBR also owns. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 371 in VONG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBR or VONG?
VBR yields 1.76% while VONG yields 0.46%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VONG better than VBR?
VBR has a lower expense ratio. VBR led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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.