Vanguard Small-Cap (VB): Historical Returns

Data Source: from January 2005 to May 2023 (~18 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 31 May 2023
Category: Stocks
ETF: Vanguard Small-Cap (VB)

In the last 15 Years, the Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF obtained a 8.43% compound annual return, with a 20.55% standard deviation.

In 2022, the ETF granted a 1.30% dividend yield. If you are interested in getting periodic income, please refer to the Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF: Dividend Yield page.

The ETF is related to the following investment themes:

  • Asset Class: Equity
  • Size: Multi Cap
  • Style: Blend
  • Region: North America
  • Country: U.S.

Historical Returns as of May 31, 2023

Historical returns and Metrics of Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF.

Returns and metrics are calculated based on monthly returns, assuming:
  • No fees or capital gain taxes
  • the reinvestment of dividends
VANGUARD SMALL-CAP (VB) ETF
Portfolio Metrics
Data Source: 1 January 2005 - 31 May 2023 (~18 years)
Swipe left to see all data
Metrics as of May 31, 2023
1M 3M 6M 1Y 3Y 5Y 10Y MAX
(~18Y)
Portfolio Return (%) -1.97 -6.65 -5.40 -4.18 10.42 4.97 8.44 8.18
US Inflation (%) 0.00 0.84 1.90 3.79 5.77 3.81 2.68 2.56
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) -1.97 -7.43 -7.17 -7.67 4.40 1.11 5.61 5.47
Waiting for updates, inflation of May 2023 is temporarily set to 0%. Returns / Inflation rates over 1 year are annualized.
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 24.02 19.73 22.74 18.22 19.35
Sharpe Ratio -0.31 0.48 0.16 0.42 0.22
Sortino Ratio -0.48 0.69 0.21 0.56 0.29
MAXIMUM DRAWDOWN
Drawdown Depth (%) -11.92 -24.43 -30.07 -30.07 -53.72
Start (yyyy mm) 2022 08 2021 11 2020 01 2020 01 2007 06
Bottom (yyyy mm) 2022 09 2022 09 2020 03 2020 03 2009 02
Start to Bottom (# months) 2 11 3 3 21
Start to Recovery (# months) in progress
4
> 19
11
11
43
ROLLING PERIOD RETURNS - Annualized
Best Return (%) 87.88 33.21 29.11 18.10
Worst Return (%) -44.49 -17.97 0.36 6.32
% Positive Periods 71% 86% 100% 100%
MONTHS
Positive 0 0 1 4 21 36 76 138
Negative 1 3 5 8 15 24 44 83
% Positive 0% 0% 17% 33% 58% 60% 63% 62%
WITHDRAWAL RATES (WR)
Safe WR (%) 44.79 22.04 15.15 8.75
Perpetual WR (%) 4.21 1.10 5.31 5.19
Terms and Definitions
  • Annualized Portfolio Return: it's the annualized geometric mean return of the ETF
  • Standard Deviation: it's a measure of the dispersion of returns around the mean
  • Sharpe Ratio: it's a measure of risk-adjusted performance of the ETF. It's calculated by dividing the excess return of the ETF over the risk-free rate by the ETF standard deviation. The risk-free rate here considered is the 1-3 Mth T-Bill return.
  • Sortino Ratio: another measure of risk-adjusted performance of the ETF. It's a modification of the Sharpe Ratio (same formula but the denominator is the ETF downside standard deviation).
  • Maximum Drawdown: a drawdown refers to the decline in value from a relative peak value to a relative trough. A maximum drawdown is the maximum observed loss from a peak to a trough of a portfolio before a new peak is attained.
  • Rolling Returns: returns over a time frame (best, worst, % of positive returns).
  • Pos./Neg. Months: number of months with positive/negative return.
  • Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR): it's the percentage of the original portfolio balance that can be withdrawn at the end of each year with inflation adjustment, without the portfolio running out of money (dollar amount withdrawal).
  • Perpetual Withdrawal Rate (PWR): it's the percentage of portfolio balance that can be withdrawn at the end of each year, while retaining the inflation adjusted portfolio balance (percentage withdrawal).

Correlations as of May 31, 2023

Correlation measures to what degree the returns of the two assets move in relation to each other.

Correlation coefficient is a numerical value between -1 and +1.

If one variable goes up by a certain amount, the correlation coefficient indicates which way the other variable moves and by how much.

Asset correlations are calculated based on monthly returns.

Monthly correlations of Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF vs the main Asset Classes, over different timeframes. Columns are sortable (click on table header to sort).

VANGUARD SMALL-CAP (VB) ETF
Monthly correlations as of 31 May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Correlation vs VB
 
Asset Class 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Since
Jan 2005
US Total Stock Market
VTI
0.94
0.95
0.94
0.95
US Large Cap
SPY
0.92
0.92
0.90
0.92
US Small Cap
IJR
0.99
0.98
0.97
0.98
US REITs
VNQ
0.93
0.83
0.72
0.78
US Technology
QQQ
0.77
0.81
0.77
0.82
Preferred Stocks
PFF
0.76
0.79
0.70
0.57
EAFE Stocks
EFA
0.81
0.86
0.81
0.83
World All Countries
VT
0.91
0.94
0.91
0.91
Emerging Markets
EEM
0.57
0.74
0.66
0.74
Europe
VGK
0.82
0.85
0.78
0.82
Pacific
VPL
0.78
0.85
0.79
0.79
Latin America
FLLA
0.81
0.65
0.54
0.65
US Total Bond Market
BND
0.61
0.36
0.27
0.14
Long Term Treasuries
TLT
0.46
-0.05
-0.09
-0.23
US Cash
BIL
-0.22
-0.24
-0.18
-0.11
TIPS
TIP
0.78
0.50
0.39
0.24
Invest. Grade Bonds
LQD
0.69
0.57
0.49
0.37
High Yield Bonds
HYG
0.88
0.85
0.80
0.76
International Bonds
BNDX
0.72
0.41
0.33
0.24
Emerg. Market Bonds
EMB
0.71
0.69
0.61
0.56
Gold
GLD
0.19
0.10
0.04
0.07
Commodities
DBC
0.74
0.59
0.49
0.50

Capital Growth as of May 31, 2023

Capital growth, returns, stats are calculated assuming a reinvestment of dividends.

If you are interested in getting periodic income, please refer to the Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF: Dividend Yield page.

An investment of 1000$, since June 2008, now would be worth 3367.51$, with a total return of 236.75% (8.43% annualized).

The Inflation Adjusted Capital now would be 2404.75$, with a net total return of 140.47% (6.02% annualized).
An investment of 1000$, since January 2005, now would be worth 4253.78$, with a total return of 325.38% (8.18% annualized).

The Inflation Adjusted Capital now would be 2668.40$, with a net total return of 166.84% (5.47% annualized).

Drawdowns

A drawdown refers to the decline in value from a relative peak value to a relative trough. A maximum drawdown is the maximum observed loss from a peak to a trough of a portfolio before a new peak is attained.

VANGUARD SMALL-CAP (VB) ETF
Drawdown periods
Updated to May 2023

Worst drawdowns since June 2008.

Swipe left to see all data
Drawdown period
Recovery period
Total
Drawdown Start Bottom #Months End #Months #Months
-49.47% Jun 2008 Feb 2009 9 Apr 2010 14 23
-30.07% Jan 2020 Mar 2020 3 Nov 2020 8 11
-24.52% May 2011 Sep 2011 5 Dec 2012 15 20
-24.43% Nov 2021 Sep 2022 11 in progress 8 19
-19.55% Sep 2018 Dec 2018 4 Nov 2019 11 15
-15.34% Apr 2015 Jan 2016 10 Jul 2016 6 16
-14.90% May 2010 Jun 2010 2 Nov 2010 5 7
-5.54% Jul 2014 Sep 2014 3 Dec 2014 3 6
-4.06% Oct 2016 Oct 2016 1 Nov 2016 1 2
-3.96% Feb 2018 Feb 2018 1 May 2018 3 4
-3.24% Aug 2013 Aug 2013 1 Sep 2013 1 2
-3.12% Sep 2021 Sep 2021 1 Oct 2021 1 2
-2.62% Mar 2014 Apr 2014 2 Jun 2014 2 4
-2.14% Jan 2015 Jan 2015 1 Feb 2015 1 2
-2.06% Jan 2014 Jan 2014 1 Feb 2014 1 2
-1.48% Jul 2021 Jul 2021 1 Aug 2021 1 2
-1.11% May 2017 May 2017 1 Jun 2017 1 2
-1.06% Jun 2013 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 1 2
-0.93% Aug 2017 Aug 2017 1 Sep 2017 1 2
-0.19% Mar 2017 Mar 2017 1 Apr 2017 1 2

Worst drawdowns since January 2005.

Swipe left to see all data
Drawdown period
Recovery period
Total
Drawdown Start Bottom #Months End #Months #Months
-53.72% Jun 2007 Feb 2009 21 Dec 2010 22 43
-30.07% Jan 2020 Mar 2020 3 Nov 2020 8 11
-24.52% May 2011 Sep 2011 5 Dec 2012 15 20
-24.43% Nov 2021 Sep 2022 11 in progress 8 19
-19.55% Sep 2018 Dec 2018 4 Nov 2019 11 15
-15.34% Apr 2015 Jan 2016 10 Jul 2016 6 16
-8.27% Jan 2005 Apr 2005 4 Jun 2005 2 6
-7.97% May 2006 Jul 2006 3 Nov 2006 4 7
-5.54% Jul 2014 Sep 2014 3 Dec 2014 3 6
-4.83% Aug 2005 Oct 2005 3 Nov 2005 1 4
-4.06% Oct 2016 Oct 2016 1 Nov 2016 1 2
-3.96% Feb 2018 Feb 2018 1 May 2018 3 4
-3.24% Aug 2013 Aug 2013 1 Sep 2013 1 2
-3.12% Sep 2021 Sep 2021 1 Oct 2021 1 2
-2.62% Mar 2014 Apr 2014 2 Jun 2014 2 4
-2.14% Jan 2015 Jan 2015 1 Feb 2015 1 2
-2.06% Jan 2014 Jan 2014 1 Feb 2014 1 2
-1.48% Jul 2021 Jul 2021 1 Aug 2021 1 2
-1.11% May 2017 May 2017 1 Jun 2017 1 2
-1.06% Jun 2013 Jun 2013 1 Jul 2013 1 2

Rolling Returns ( more details)

A rolling return is a measure of investment performance that calculates the return of an investment over a set period of time, with the starting date rolling forward. This approach can provide a more accurate representation of the investment's historical performance and helps investors to evaluate the investment's consistency over time.

VANGUARD SMALL-CAP (VB) ETF
Annualized Rolling Returns
Data Source: from January 2005 to May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Rolling
Period
Annualized Return (%) Negative
Periods
Average Latest Best Worst
1 Year
10.67 -4.18 87.88
Apr 2020 - Mar 2021
-44.49
Mar 2008 - Feb 2009
28.57%
2 Years
9.97 -7.81 52.95
Mar 2009 - Feb 2011
-29.15
Mar 2007 - Feb 2009
19.70%
3 Years
9.42 10.42 33.21
Mar 2009 - Feb 2012
-17.97
Mar 2006 - Feb 2009
13.98%
5 Years
10.22 4.97 29.11
Mar 2009 - Feb 2014
0.36
Apr 2015 - Mar 2020
0.00%
7 Years
10.60 8.42 18.92
Mar 2009 - Feb 2016
4.56
Jan 2005 - Dec 2011
0.00%
10 Years
10.79 8.44 18.10
Mar 2009 - Feb 2019
6.32
Feb 2006 - Jan 2016
0.00%
15 Years
9.00 8.43 10.57
Aug 2006 - Jul 2021
6.77
Apr 2005 - Mar 2020
0.00%
Annualized rolling and average returns over full calendar month periods

If you need a deeper detail about rolling returns, please refer to the Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF: Rolling Returns page.

Seasonality

Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF: in which months is it better to invest?

Both the Average Return and the Gain Frequency (Win %) are useful to get an idea of what happened in the past.

For further information about the seasonality, check the Asset Class Seasonality page.
Swipe left to see all data
Monthly Average Return (%) and Gain Frequency
Return (%) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average
Gain Frequency
2.80
60%
0.21
60%
-4.64
40%
2.53
60%
-0.30
40%
0.46
80%
3.35
80%
0.77
60%
-3.08
20%
1.71
80%
4.45
80%
-0.77
60%
 Capital Growth on monthly avg returns
100
102.80
103.01
98.24
100.72
100.42
100.89
104.27
105.07
101.84
103.58
108.19
107.36
Best 11.7
2019
6.2
2021
1.8
2021
14.6
2020
7.7
2020
7.0
2019
10.6
2022
4.5
2018
1.4
2019
9.9
2022
15.8
2020
7.5
2020
Worst -7.9
2022
-8.5
2020
-22.0
2020
-8.2
2022
-7.2
2019
-9.4
2022
-1.5
2021
-4.0
2019
-9.6
2022
-10.1
2018
-4.3
2021
-11.1
2018
Monthly Seasonality over the period Jun 2018 - May 2023
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Monthly Average Return (%) and Gain Frequency
Return (%) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average
Gain Frequency
0.65
50%
1.11
70%
-1.25
50%
1.12
60%
0.77
60%
0.79
70%
2.44
70%
-0.04
50%
-1.46
40%
1.94
80%
3.95
90%
-0.19
70%
 Capital Growth on monthly avg returns
100
100.65
101.76
100.49
101.61
102.39
103.20
105.72
105.68
104.13
106.16
110.35
110.14
Best 11.7
2019
6.2
2021
8.5
2016
14.6
2020
7.7
2020
7.0
2019
10.6
2022
5.1
2014
5.8
2013
9.9
2022
15.8
2020
7.5
2020
Worst -7.9
2022
-8.5
2020
-22.0
2020
-8.2
2022
-7.2
2019
-9.4
2022
-5.0
2014
-5.8
2015
-9.6
2022
-10.1
2018
-4.3
2021
-11.1
2018
Monthly Seasonality over the period Jun 2013 - May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Monthly Average Return (%) and Gain Frequency
Return (%) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average
Gain Frequency
0.40
53%
0.72
68%
0.83
63%
2.19
68%
0.57
58%
-0.23
56%
1.95
61%
-0.13
56%
-0.52
56%
0.72
67%
2.08
78%
1.18
67%
 Capital Growth on monthly avg returns
100
100.40
101.12
101.96
104.20
104.79
104.55
106.59
106.45
105.89
106.65
108.87
110.16
Best 11.7
2019
6.2
2021
8.5
2009
18.7
2009
7.7
2020
7.0
2019
10.6
2022
5.1
2014
12.0
2010
15.3
2011
15.8
2020
7.9
2009
Worst -9.7
2009
-12.0
2009
-22.0
2020
-8.2
2022
-7.8
2010
-9.4
2022
-6.2
2007
-8.3
2011
-11.0
2011
-21.9
2008
-11.4
2008
-11.1
2018
Monthly Seasonality over the period Jan 2005 - May 2023

Monthly/Yearly Returns

Vanguard Small-Cap (VB) ETF data source starts from January 2005: let's focus on monthly and yearly returns.

We are providing two different views:
  • Histogram: it shows the distribution of the returns recorded so far
  • Plain Table: it shows the detailed monthly and yearly returns
MONTHLY RETURNS HISTOGRAM
Jan 2005 - May 2023
138 Positive Months (62%) - 83 Negative Months (38%)
MONTHLY RETURNS TABLE
Jan 2005 - May 2023
(Scroll down to see all data)
Swipe left to see all data
Yearly Return(%)
Monthly Return(%)
Year Total Infl.Adj Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2023
+0.46 -1.72 10.2 -2.3 -3.6 -1.2 -2.0
2022
-17.50 -22.50 -7.9 0.9 1.5 -8.2 0.0 -9.4 10.6 -2.6 -9.6 9.9 4.4 -5.8
2021
+17.56 +9.83 2.0 6.2 1.8 3.9 0.0 1.5 -1.5 2.0 -3.1 4.9 -4.3 3.4
2020
+19.16 +17.56 -2.0 -8.5 -22.0 14.6 7.7 2.6 4.6 4.0 -2.6 2.2 15.8 7.5
2019
+27.32 +24.48 11.7 4.9 -0.9 3.6 -7.2 7.0 1.2 -4.0 1.4 1.7 4.2 2.2
2018
-9.33 -11.03 2.7 -4.0 1.1 0.4 5.1 0.7 1.8 4.5 -1.5 -10.1 2.2 -11.1
2017
+16.26 +13.85 1.5 2.3 -0.2 0.9 -1.1 2.2 1.2 -0.9 4.4 1.6 3.1 0.4
2016
+18.44 +16.03 -7.5 0.8 8.5 1.8 1.9 0.3 5.0 0.7 0.4 -4.1 8.6 1.9
2015
-3.76 -4.45 -2.1 5.8 1.5 -2.0 2.0 -0.8 -0.3 -5.8 -4.5 5.7 1.8 -4.2
2014
+7.63 +6.82 -2.1 5.1 -0.2 -2.4 1.3 5.0 -5.0 5.1 -5.3 4.5 1.1 1.3
2013
+37.70 +35.66 6.4 1.3 4.6 0.3 3.6 -1.1 6.8 -3.2 5.8 3.2 2.7 2.5
2012
+18.29 +16.27 6.9 3.3 2.3 -1.0 -6.7 4.6 -1.0 3.6 2.8 -1.4 1.3 3.0
2011
-2.78 -5.58 0.7 5.5 2.4 2.9 -2.0 -2.1 -3.6 -8.3 -11.0 15.3 -0.4 0.2
2010
+28.11 +26.22 -3.4 4.8 8.5 5.6 -7.8 -7.7 7.2 -6.6 12.0 4.1 3.2 7.8
2009
+36.59 +32.97 -9.7 -12.0 8.5 18.7 5.6 -0.3 9.6 4.3 6.3 -6.4 3.3 7.9
2008
-36.19 -36.25 -6.4 -2.4 -0.8 5.7 4.8 -8.4 1.5 3.2 -8.9 -21.9 -11.4 5.2
2007
+1.35 -2.62 2.5 -0.1 1.1 2.7 4.5 -1.4 -6.2 1.5 2.3 2.5 -6.6 -0.8
2006
+15.77 +12.90 7.6 0.2 4.1 0.1 -5.1 0.0 -3.1 2.3 0.8 5.1 3.3 -0.1
2005
+7.25 +3.70 -3.6 2.0 -2.5 -4.3 6.2 3.3 6.4 -1.9 0.9 -3.8 5.5 -0.2