VBR vs VT
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, VBR or VT?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VBR has a lower expense ratio. VBR 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 | VBR | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $37.3B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.76% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 847 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +12.88%Best | +12.72% |
| 1Y Return | +16.90% | +18.16%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.87% | +20.32%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.38% | +10.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 16.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.3% | -50.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,656 | $16,752Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | 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 17, 2026 (18.2 years).
VBR 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.
VBR vs VT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBR returned +16.90% while VT returned +18.16%. Year to date, VBR is up 12.88% versus a gain of 12.72% for VT.
Over three years, VBR compounded at +15.87% per year against +20.32% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +9.38% and +10.87% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VBR has the edge at +8.65% annualized vs +7.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% 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 -57.3% for VBR 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
VBR 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, VBR currently yields 1.76% against 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 88.6% of VBR'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 VBR is already inside VT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
653 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 9,272 in VT, against full books of 847 and 10,133.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VBR | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBLJabil, Inc. | 0.87% | 0.03% | 0.84% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 0.66% | 0.02% | 0.64% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.63% | 0.03% | 0.60% |
| ATOAtmos Energy Corp | 0.61% | 0.02% | 0.59% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.59% | 0.02% | 0.57% |
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 0.53% | 0.02% | 0.51% |
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.48% | 0.02% | 0.46% |
| JBHTJb Hunt Transport Services Inc. | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
88.6% of VBR 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, VBR or VT?
VBR has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VT charges 0.06%. VBR is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBR or VT?
Over the past year VBR returned +16.90% vs +18.16% for VT, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VBR annualized +8.65% vs +7.25% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBR or VT?
VBR has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VBR -57.3% vs VT -50.6%.
Should I hold both VBR and VT?
VBR 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 VBR and VT?
At least 88.6% of VBR's money is in holdings VT also owns. Our book for VT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 653 positions in common, counted across the 836 positions we hold weights for in VBR and 9,272 in VT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBR or VT?
VBR yields 1.76% while VT yields 1.55%, so VBR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than VBR?
VBR has a lower expense ratio. VBR 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.