Average Daily Volume
1.09M
Fund Overview
The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Index, which measures the investment return of small-capitalization stocks in the United States. The fund provides broad exposure to small-cap companies, which are typically defined as firms with market capitalizations between $300 million and $2 billion. VB is a passively managed ETF that aims to replicate the index by holding a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks across various sectors. This ETF is suitable for investors seeking long-term capital growth and willing to accept the higher volatility associated with small-cap stocks.
- Asset Class
-
Equity
- Industry
-
N/A
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- 1.38 %
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
13 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the VB ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Diversified exposure to small-cap stocks, which historically have higher growth potential than large-cap stocks over the long term.
- Low expense ratio of 0.05%, making it one of the most cost-effective small-cap ETFs available.
- Passive management strategy reduces turnover and trading costs compared to actively managed funds.
- Strong liquidity due to its large asset base and popularity among investors.
- Provides access to a broad range of sectors within the small-cap universe, reducing single-stock risk.
Potential Risks
- Small-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-cap stocks, leading to higher price swings.
- Economic downturns can disproportionately impact small-cap companies due to their limited financial resources.
- Sector concentration risks may arise if certain industries dominate the small-cap index.
- Liquidity risks can be higher for some small-cap stocks, especially during market stress.
- Performance may lag during periods when large-cap stocks outperform.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+4.6%
|
+2.7%
|
-5.1%
|
+8.6%
|
+3.2%
|
+3.6%
|
-2.6%
|
+1.4%
|
+0.2%
|
0.0%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+3.9%
|
-4.8%
|
-6.3%
|
-2.5%
|
+5.6%
|
+4.2%
|
+1.9%
|
+4.5%
|
+1.0%
|
+0.3%
|
+1.5%
|
0.0%
|
| 2024 |
-2.7%
|
+5.8%
|
+4.4%
|
-6.5%
|
+4.0%
|
-1.5%
|
+7.0%
|
0.0%
|
+1.9%
|
-0.7%
|
+10.6%
|
-7.4%
|
| 2023 |
+10.2%
|
-2.3%
|
-3.6%
|
-1.2%
|
-2.0%
|
+8.7%
|
+5.0%
|
-3.7%
|
-5.6%
|
-5.8%
|
+9.2%
|
+10.3%
|
| 2022 |
-7.9%
|
+0.9%
|
+1.5%
|
-8.2%
|
0.0%
|
-9.4%
|
+10.6%
|
-2.6%
|
-9.6%
|
+9.9%
|
+4.4%
|
-5.9%
|
| 2021 |
+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 |
-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 |
+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 |
+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 |
+1.5%
|
+2.3%
|
-0.2%
|
+0.9%
|
-1.1%
|
+2.2%
|
+1.2%
|
-0.9%
|
+4.4%
|
+1.6%
|
+3.1%
|
+0.4%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
|
SW
|
SMURFIT WESTROCK PLC |
0.5 % |
|
ATO
|
ATMOS ENERGY CORP |
0.4 % |
|
WSM
|
WILLIAMS-SONOMA INC |
0.4 % |
|
EXE
|
EXPAND ENERGY CORP ORDINARY SHARES NEW |
0.4 % |
|
NRG
|
NRG ENERGY INC |
0.4 % |
|
FCNCA
|
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC CLASS A |
0.4 % |
|
DECK
|
DECKERS OUTDOOR CORP |
0.4 % |
|
FWONK
|
n/a |
0.3 % |
|
TPR
|
TAPESTRY INC |
0.3 % |
|
DKNG
|
DRAFTKINGS INC ORDINARY SHARES CLASS A |
0.3 % |
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 1 total holdings.
Related ETFs: VB vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
VB tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Index, which includes stocks ranked in the bottom 2%-15% of the U.S. equity market by market capitalization. The index is market-cap weighted, meaning larger small-cap stocks have a greater influence on performance. The fund holds a diversified portfolio of over 1,400 stocks, primarily common equities, and is rebalanced quarterly to align with the index. VB uses full replication, meaning it holds all (or nearly all) of the securities in the index to minimize tracking error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expense ratio of VB?
VB has an expense ratio of 0.05%, making it one of the lowest-cost small-cap ETFs available.
How often is VB rebalanced?
VB is rebalanced quarterly to align with its underlying index, the CRSP US Small Cap Index.
Does VB pay dividends?
Yes, VB pays quarterly dividends, as many small-cap companies in its portfolio distribute earnings to shareholders.
How does VB differ from Vanguard's mid-cap ETF (VO)?
VB focuses on small-cap stocks, while VO targets mid-cap companies, which are generally larger and less volatile than small caps.
Industry Overview
The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) provides exposure to the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. Small-cap stocks are often considered growth-oriented investments, as these companies have greater potential for expansion compared to larger, more established firms. However, they also come with higher risk due to their sensitivity to economic conditions and lower liquidity. Investing in small caps can be a strategic way to diversify a portfolio and capture long-term growth opportunities, particularly during economic recoveries when small-cap stocks tend to outperform.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF), VB offers broader diversification with more holdings (1,400+ vs. 600+), though both have similar expense ratios (0.05% vs. 0.06%). IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) tracks a different index with slightly larger small-cap stocks, while VB includes a wider range of small-cap companies. SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) is another low-cost alternative but has fewer holdings than VB. Investors prioritizing broad diversification and low costs may prefer VB over these peers.
Issuer Overview
Vanguard is one of the largest and most respected investment management companies globally, known for its low-cost index funds and ETFs. The firm is structured as a client-owned mutual company, meaning its funds are owned by the investors in those funds. Vanguard is a pioneer in passive investing and has a strong reputation for transparency, investor-friendly policies, and long-term performance.
Conclusion
VB is a well-established, low-cost ETF that provides diversified exposure to the U.S. small-cap market. Its passive management approach, broad holdings, and Vanguard’s reputation make it a strong choice for investors seeking small-cap growth potential. However, investors should be prepared for higher volatility and consider VB as part of a balanced portfolio rather than a standalone investment.
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