VB ETF — Vanguard Small Cap ETF

Vanguard Small Cap ETF (VB)

VB is a low-cost ETF that tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Index. As of August 20, 2026, its distribution rate is 1.18%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.19%, its expense ratio is 0.03%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 95/100 (Safe). Fund total return is 761.4% over the past 22.6 years, 162.2 points behind SPY at 923.6%.

At the current 1.18% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $118 per year, or $9.83 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

Vanguard Small Cap ETF is an index fund that tracks the CRSP U.S. Small Cap Index by holding a broadly diversified portfolio of small-cap U.S. company stocks in proportions matching the index. The fund distributes quarterly with a modest current distribution rate and carries an expense ratio of 0.03%. It appeals to equity investors seeking low-cost exposure to the small-cap segment of the U.S. stock market.

VB performance versus SPY

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Fund total return is 761.4% over the past 22.6 years, 162.2 points behind SPY at 923.6%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.0%.

VB key facts

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

95 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.12%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/26/2004

Expense ratio

0.03%

Distribution rate

1.18%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.19%

Last close

$302.83

AUM

$81,974,703,066

Market cap

$250,521,911,296

Average volume

433214.0

Last dividend

$0.8920

Ex-dividend date

06/26/2026

Payment date

06/30/2026

Beta

1.1

P/E ratio

21.7916

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.18%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (1.19%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 20, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Primary sources: Vanguard fund page; Index: CRSP US Small Cap Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VB risks and drawbacks

VB's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.0%.

Who may consider VB — and who may not

VB may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VB pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare VB

VB vs similar funds:

• VB vs IJR
• VB vs VO
• VB vs IWM

Frequently asked questions

More funds from Vanguard.