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Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VBK and VBR.
Seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, which measures the investment return of small-capitalization growth stocks.
Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
01/26/2004
01/26/2004
Beta
1.1719
0.95
Last dividend
$0.3660
$1.0900
Ex-dividend date
06/26/2026
06/26/2026
Bottom lineChoose VBK if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose VBR if you want higher current income (1.80% vs 0.42% for VBK).
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
VBK has outpaced VBR over the trailing twelve months, posting a 25.36% total return against 22.31%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VBK has compounded at 11.30% a year, against 10.58% for VBR. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jan 2004” measures every fund from January 30, 2004 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VBR offers the higher yield at 1.80% vs 0.42% for VBK. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
They track different benchmarks: VBK is linked to CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
VBR is the larger fund by assets ($35.4B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, VBK would generate roughly $3.50/month, while VBR would produce $15.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
VBK yield0.42%
VBR yield1.80%
Monthly diff on $10K$11.50
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, VBK would cost approximately $70 in fees vs $70 for VBR (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.
VBK ER0.07%
VBR ER0.07%
Strategy & risk
VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index with an index approach. Beta is 1.1719 for VBK and 0.95 for VBR, indicating VBR is less volatile relative to the market.
VBK beta1.1719
VBR beta0.95
Fund details
VBK is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $23.1B in assets. VBR is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $35.4B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is VBK or VBR better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VBR currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between VBK and VBR?
VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while VBR (Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF) tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index with an index approach. They are issued by Vanguard and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both VBK and VBR?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, VBK or VBR?
VBK and VBR both charge the same expense ratio of 0.07%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.
How much income does $10,000 in VBK vs VBR generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in VBK would generate roughly $3.50 per month ($42.00 annually). The same in VBR would produce about $15.00 per month ($180.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, VBK or VBR?
VBK has outpaced VBR over the trailing twelve months, posting a 25.36% total return against 22.31%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: VBK has compounded at 11.30% a year, against 10.58% for VBR. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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