VBR vs VOT
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, VBR or VOT?
Small Cap Value against Mid Cap Growth.
VBR led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOT over the full window. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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 | VBR | VOT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Tie | 0.05%Tie |
| AUM | $37.3B | $19.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.76% | 0.60% |
| Holdings | 847 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +12.32%Best | +6.16% |
| 1Y Return | +15.68%Best | +1.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.72%Best | +16.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.73%Best | +4.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.0% | -60.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,908Best | $12,678 |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.9%Best | 20.9% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | 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 21, 2026 (20.1 years).
VBR 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.
VBR vs VOT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBR returned +15.68% while VOT returned +1.82%. Year to date, VBR is up 12.32% versus a gain of 6.16% for VOT.
Over three years, VBR compounded at +16.72% per year against +16.18% for VOT; over five years the annualized figures are +9.73% and +4.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +9.40% annualized vs +7.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% 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 -64.0% for VBR 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBR charges 0.05% per year while VOT charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $5 annually. On income, VBR currently yields 1.76% against 0.60% for VOT.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of VBR's money is in holdings VOT also owns. 1.4% of VOT's money is in holdings VBR also owns.
VOT and VBR share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 123 in VOT, against full books of 847 and 129.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 113 positions for VOT that do not appear in our book for VBR (97.3% of the fund), and 796 for VBR that do not appear in VOT (95.7%).
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 VOT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLEX:SIFlex Ltd | 0.32% | 0.47% | 0.15% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 0.17% | 0.20% | 0.03% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 0.18% | 0.19% | 0.01% |
| FLTR:LNFlutter Entertainment Plc | 0.15% | 0.16% | 0.01% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 0.15% | 0.14% | 0.01% |
| TSCOTractor Supply Co. | 0.18% | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| LULULululemon Athletica, Inc | 0.13% | 0.14% | 0.01% |
| VGVenture Global Inc | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBR 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, VBR or VOT?
VBR 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, VBR or VOT?
Over the past year VBR returned +15.68% vs +1.82% for VOT, so VBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VBR annualized +7.32% vs +9.40% for VOT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBR or VOT?
VBR has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 18.5% for VOT. Worst drawdown: VBR -64.0% vs VOT -60.3%.
Should I hold both VBR and VOT?
VBR and VOT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 VOT?
1.4% of VOT's money is in holdings VBR also owns. 1.4% of VOT's is in holdings VBR also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 123 in VOT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBR or VOT?
VBR yields 1.76% while VOT yields 0.60%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOT better than VBR?
VBR led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VOT over the full window. VBR is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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.