Today we’ll be reviewing the highest AUM US small-cap value ETF.
It is none other than VBR ETF.
Better known as Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund.
What’s fascinating about this fund, from an ETF review perspective, is that it has been around for a considerable amount of time.
2004.
Hence, we’re able to rewind the clock and backtest it versus other major US market indexes (such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100) while also comparing it head to head versus other US small-cap value strategies.
We’ve got a lot to cover in this review so let’s just jump right in.
VBR ETF Review | Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund ETF Review
Hey guys! Here is the part where I mention I’m a travel blogger, vlogger and content creator! This investing opinion blog post ETF Review is entirely for entertainment purposes only. There could be considerable errors in the data I gathered. This is not financial advice. Do your own due diligence and research. Consult with a financial advisor.
Vanguard: Value Index Fund Provider
Vanguard is one of the Goliath index ETF and Mutual Fund providers.
Hence, we won’t spend a lot of time going over their extensive product range but rather focus on its small-cap value offerings.
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETFs Roster
VTWV ETF – Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF
VIOV ETF – Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF
VBR ETF – Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Mutual Funds Roster
VEVFX Mutual Fund – Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
VRTVX Mutual Fund – Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares
VSMVX Mutual Fund – Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares
VSIAX Mutual Fund – Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Admiral Shares
VSIIX Mutual Fund – Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund Institutional Shares
The Case For Small-Cap Value Equity Investing
US Small-cap value has been the most historically successful US equity strategy compared to everything else under the sun.
US Small-Cap Value vs Other US Equity Strategies
US Small Cap Value = 13.58% CAGR
US Mid Cap Value = 12.60%
US Micro Cap = 12.05%
US Mid Cap = 11.61%
US Small Cap = 11.30%
US Large Cap Value = 11.14% CAGR
US Stock Market = 10.23% CAGR
US Large Cap = 10.22% CAGR
US Mid Cap Growth = 10.01%
US Large Cap Growth = 9.95% CAGR
US Small Cap Growth = 9.42%
It’s not even close!
US Small Cap Value reigns supreme by nearly 100 basis points!
98 to be precise.
However, I’d like you to feast your eyes upon US Mid Cap Value as well because VBR ETF allocates a surprising amount of its resources to US mid-cap stocks.
The primary reason for its long-term outperformance is that is captures both value and size premiums.
HML and SMB.
High minus Low and Small minus Big.
Size and Value Premiums
If we consult the fantastic resource (MSCI Factor Focus: Size) we’re presented with the following:
Size Definition: “The Size factor has captured the tendency of small-cap stocks to outperform bigger companies over the long run.
Size Premium: University of Chicago Ph.D. Rolf Banz identified the size factor in U.S. stocks in 1981.
Proponents of the size effect advance several explanations for it. Banz suggested that it stems from a flaw in the capital asset pricing model (CAPM, the standard method of projecting risk and return from stock investments) or from insufficient information about companies that get scant coverage by equity analysts.
The research on size took off after economists Eugene Fama and Kenneth French included it as a key component in their influential three-factor model.”
And we’re also given an explanation for the value premium as well (MSCI Factor Focus: Value):
Value Definition: “The foundation of value investing is the notion that cheaply priced stocks outperform pricier stocks in the long term.
Value Premium: “Many investors use this approach in identifying assets that they expect the market to revalue.
The concept of value was first popularized in the 1930s by economists Benjamin Graham and David Dodd, who advocated owning companies that provide a “margin of safety” – meaning the current stock price is less than it is expected to be under conservative projections of the firm’s future earnings.
At the core of value investing is the belief that “cheaply” valued assets tend to outperform “richly” valued assets over a long horizon.
VBR ETF Overview, Holdings and Info
The investment case for “Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund ETF ” has been laid out succinctly by the folks over at Vanguard: (source: fund landing page)
“Product summary:
- Seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, which measures the investment return of small-capitalization value stocks.
- Provides a convenient way to match the performance of a diversified group of small value companies.
- Follows a passively managed, full-replication approach.”
VBR ETF: Security Selection Process
To better understand the process of how the fund operates, let’s turn our attention towards the prospectus where I’ve highlighted what I feel are the most salient parts and summarized the key points at the very bottom. (source: summary prospectus)
“Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, a broadly diversified index of value stocks of small U.S. companies.
The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.
CRSP classifies value securities using the following factors: book to price, forward earnings to price, historic earnings to price, dividend-to-price ratio and sales-to-price ratio.”
Small-Cap Value Equity Investment Strategy Key Points
- Index Investment Approach: Tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index
- Universe: Diversified index of value stocks of small US companies
- Replicate Index: Fund attempts to hold each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index
- CRSP Value Security Factor Screen: Book To Price, Forward Earnings To Price, Historic Earnings To Price, Divided-To-Price Ratio and Sales-To-Price-Ratio
VBR ETF: Holdings
VBR ETF spreads out nicely as a fund that offers no less than 882 positions.
Its top position takes up 0.65% of the ETF while its 10th spot is 0.51%.
You’ll find companies such as Steel Dynamics Inc, First Solar Inc and APA Corp as part of its top 10 holdings.
VBR ETF: Sector Exposure
- Basic Materials (5.96 vs 5.81)
- Consumer Cyclical (11.74 vs 13.22)
- Financial Services (21.18 vs 25.03)
- Real Estate (10.57 vs 6.45)
- Communication Services (2.00 vs 1.82)
- Energy (6.54 vs 6.62)
- Industrials (20.03 vs 18.58)
- Technology (7.15 vs 9.04)
- Consumer Defensive (4.72 vs 4.15)
- Healthcare (5.31 vs 6.28)
- Utilities (4.80 vs 3.00)
VBR ETF doesn’t deviate too much from the script when comparing its sector exposure versus its small-cap value category average.
It is relatively overweight Real Estate (10.57 vs 6.45) and Industrials (20.03 vs 18.58).
Whereas it is slightly underweight Financial Services (21.18 vs 25.03), Consumer Cyclical (11.74 vs 13.22) and Technology (7.15 vs 9.04)
VBR ETF Info
Ticker: VBR
Net Expense Ratio: 0.07
AUM: 25.4 Billion
Inception: 01/26/2004
VBR ETF – Style Measures
- Price/Earnings (11.32 vs 10.69)
- Price/Book (1.72 vs 1.49)
- Price/Sales (0.80 vs 0.75)
- Price/Cash Flow (4.84 vs 4.76)
- Dividend Yield % (2.19 vs 2.22)
- Long-Term Earnings % (11.72 vs 10.98)
- Historical Earnings % (25.14 vs 26.80)
- Sales Growth % (4.68 vs 4.94)
- Cash-Flow Growth % (0.90 vs 6.07)
- Book-Value Growth % (3.74 vs 3.82)
There is nothing that distinguishes Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF from its category (small-cap value) average in terms of a value and growth measures perspective.
VBR ETF – Stock Style Box
For a small-cap value fund, VBR is clogging up its resources with a LOT of mid-cap positions!
42% of the ETF lands in mid-cap territory with only 58% actually being committed to small-cap companies.
I almost feel like the fund should change its name given that it’s quite misleading.
VBR ETF – Factor Profile
VBR offers investors attractive value, yield and size exposure.
However, its low quality tilt leaves a lot to be desired when you compare it with other value ETFs that specifically screen for profitability and quality characteristics.
VBR ETF – Factor Analysis: 36 Month Regressions
Let’s explore VBR ETF in further detail by checking out its factor analysis from several different sources on Portfolio Visualizer.
VBR ETF vs VTWV ETF vs VIOV ETF
Fama-French Research Factors
Size (SMB): VBR (0.55) / VTWV (0.80) / VIOV (0.86)
Value (HML): VBR (0.34) / VTWV(0.35) / VIOV (0.37)
Profitability (RMW): VBR (0.09) / VTWV(0.03) / VIOV (0.12)
Investment (CMA): VBR (-0.04) / VTWV (0.03) / VIOV (0.06)
Alpha (α): VBR (-0.07%) / VTWV (-0.13%) / VIOV (0.01%)
VBR ETF relatively struggles compared to VIOV ETF in every Fama-French five factor comparison.
However, it does offer better profitability (RMW) than VTWV ETF.
AQR Research Factors
Size (SMB): VBR (0.61) / VTWV (0.91) / VIOV (1.00)
Value (HML): VBR (0.37) / VTWV (0.40) / VIOV (0.44)
Momentum (MOM): VBR (0.14) / VTWV (0.16) / VIOV (0.16)
Quality (QMJ): VBR (0.18) / VTWV (0.24) / VIOV (0.35)
Bet Against Beta (BAB): VBR (0.03) / VTWV (0.00) /VIOV (-0.03)
Things don’t improve for VBR ETF as we move on to AQR factors.
It trails both funds in terms of size (SMB), value (HML), momentum (MOM) and quality (QMJ).
Alpha Architect Research Factors
Size (SMB): VBR (0.70) / VTWV (0.96) / VIOV (1.02)
Value (HML): VBR (0.33) / VTWV (0.32) / VIOV (0.39)
Momentum (MOM): VBR (0.11) / VTWV (0.10) / VIOV (0.12)
Quality (QMJ): VBR (-0.08) / VTWV (-0.03) / VIOV (-0.06)
To finish things off we’re able to see VBR ETF coming up on the short end of the stick in terms of size (SMB), Value (HML), Momentum (MOM) and Quality (QMJ) versus VIOV ETF.
It squeaks out a minor win in terms of value (HML) and Momentum (MOM) head to head against VTWV ETF.
Overall, VBR ETF does not come out of the factor regression gauntlet in an appealing manner.
VBR ETF Performance
Let’s explore the performance of VBR ETF vs major US indexes (SPY ETF and QQQ ETF) and versus other small-cap value Vanguard funds.
VBR ETF vs SPY ETF vs QQQ ETF Summary Performance 2004 – 2022
CAGR: VBR (8.63%) / SPY (8.73%) / QQQ (11.87%)
STDEV: VBR (19.46%) / SPY (14.97%) / QQQ (18.33%)
WORST YEAR: VBR (-32.30%) / SPY (-36.81%) / QQQ (-41.73%)
MAX DRAWDOWN: VBR (-55.89%) / SPY (-50.80%) / QQQ (-49.74%)
SHARPE RATIO: VBR (0.46) / SPY (0.56) / QQQ (0.64)
SORTINO RATIO: VBR (0.66) / SPY (0.81) / QQQ (0.98)
MARKET CORRELATION: VBR (0.93) / SPY (1.00) / QQQ (0.91)
If we compare VBR ETF versus SPY ETF and QQQ ETF since inception (2004) we’re able to see it has trailed both funds.
Much of this can be explained by the absolutely dominant period for growth and beta strategies from mid to late 2010s and early 2020s.
However, as we can see by zooming into the last couple of years, the pendulum may be swinging in favour of value strategies.
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF vs SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust Summary Performance 2021 – 2022
CAGR: VBR (7.74%) / SPY (2.64%) / QQQ (-7.31%)
STDEV: VBR (20.03%) / SPY (18.84%) / QQQ (22.93%)
WORST YEAR: VBR (-9.36%) / SPY (-18.17%) / QQQ (-32.58%)
MAX DRAWDOWN: VBR (-18.72%) / SPY (-23.93%) / QQQ (-32.58%)
SHARPE RATIO: VBR (0.42) / SPY (0.18) / QQQ (-0.26)
SORTINO RATIO: VBR (0.65) / SPY (0.26) / QQQ (-0.33)
MARKET CORRELATION: VBR (0.91) / SPY (1.00) / QQQ (0.94)
With highly stretched valuations (P/E) it has been QQQ ETF and SPY ETF in particular feeling the brunt of the punchbowl of low borrowing rates being taken away during an inflationary environment.
Gravity is harsh at times.
In investing parlance reversion to the mean is a powerful corrective force.
If I was a betting man (and I’m not) I think that value strategies have a long runway for potential relative outperformance versus growth and beta over the coming decade given the current spread in valuations.
Overall, VBR ETF has relatively handled this challenging environment in a manner that puts QQQ and SPY to shame.
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Russell Value ETF vs Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF Performance Summary
CAGR: VBR (10.65%) / VTWV (9.00%) / VIOV (10.91%)
STDEV: VBR (18.41%) / QQQ (19.53%) / SPY (20.09%)
WORST YEAR: VBR (-12.26%) / VTWV (-14.46%) / VIOV (-12.84%)
MAX DRAWDOWN: VBR (-35.27%) / VTWV (-37.79%) / VIOV (-40.22%)
SHARPE RATIO: VBR (0.61) / VTWV (0.51) / VIOV (0.59)
SORTINO RATIO: VBR (0.90) / VTWV (0.75) / VIOV (0.89)
MARKET CORRELATION: VBR (0.93) / VTWV (0.89) / VIOV (0.88)
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF has considerably outperformed the Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF by 165 basis points as far back as we can rewind the clock.
However, when compared head to head with the more focused Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF it has trailed 26 basis points.
In its favour is the most palatable worst year (-12.26%) and overall attractive lower market correlation at 0.89.
VBR ETF Pros and Cons
Let’s move on to examine the potential pros and cons of VBR ETF.
VBR Pros
- Highly liquid ETF (largest AUM US Small-Cap Value) at over 24.4 Billion
- Relative outperformance versus a major small-cap value index: the Vanguard Russell 2000 small-cap value ETF
- Rock bottom management fees for a factor strategy (0.07) that can compete with large-cap centric MCW strategies
- Mid-cap exposure for those seeking both small-cap and mid-cap coverage (also could be considered a con)
- A strategy that may be poised to outperform both beta and growth moving forward this decade (based on valuation spreads)
- Core value strategy offering a lot of positions for investors seeking less volatility (potentially a con)
- A fund provider that you can be assured will be around for the long haul in Vanguard
VBR Cons
- Relatively weak factor profile versus other value mandates (Alpha Architect, Avantis and even other Vanguard small-cap Value funds such as VIOV ETF)
- A lot of mid-cap exposure for a fund that is labelled as small-cap value!
- A more watered down approach with a large amount of positions for those seeking more concentrated value and multi-factor exposure
VBR Potential Portfolio Solutions
These asset allocation ideas and model portfolios presented herein are purely for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT investment advice. These models are hypothetical and are intended to provide general information about potential ways to organize a portfolio based on theoretical scenarios and assumptions. They do not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation/goals, risk tolerance and/or specific needs of any particular individual.
Let’s explore an easy to assemble value focused portfolio that is strategically diversified:
60% VBR ETF
30% DBMF ETF
10% BTAL ETF
Our primary equity strategy is small-cap and mid-cap value US stocks and we’ve diversified our portfolio by adding managed futures and market-neutral anti-beta to the equation.
Let’s compare the results of this portfolio with an industry standard MCW 60/40 portfolio by going head to head versus VBIAX ETF.
VBR ETF and Friends Portfolio versus VBIAX ETF 60/40 Portfolio
CAGR: 9.79% vs 6.17%
RISK: 12.71% vs 13.34%
BEST YEAR: 19.57% vs 16.40%
WORST YEAR: 2.65% vs -16.90%
MAX DRAWDOWN: -19.36% vs -20.78%
SHARPE RATIO: 0.72 vs 0.44
SORTINO RATIO: 1.07 vs 0.64
MARKET CORRELATION: 0.84 vs 0.99
It’s a clear across the board triumph for the more strategically diversified VBR and Friends Portfolio versus a 60/40 Portfolio as far back as we’re able to roll the clock.
And given the low/negative correlation between the strategies I’d fully expect the VBR ETF and Friends Portfolio to offer better risk adjusted returns moving forward.
What Others Have To Say About VBR ETF
Now that we’ve covered a few different portfolio solutions let’s see what others have to say about the fund for those who prefer video format.
source: 401k and Beyond! on YouTube
source: Animal Donut on YouTube
source: MOKI Finance on YouTube
source: ETFguide on YouTube
Nomadic Samuel Final Thoughts
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF is an intriguing fund that lures in investors with its rock bottom fees and high liquidity.
However, it is by no stretch of the imagination one of the most impressive small-cap value funds from a factor perspective.
Moreover, it’s not even truly a small-cap value fund in the sense it commits a considerable amount of resources to mid-cap territory.
Personally I’m not compelled enough for it to be on my radar as funds such as AVUV ETF and even VIOV ETF bring more goodies to the table.
And if I was seeking an even more concentrated value approach I’d be looking at the likes of QVAL ETF and ZIG ETF.
But that’s just me.
At this point in the ETF review I’m more interested in what you’ve got to say.
What do you think of VBR ETF?
Is it on your radar?
Are you a small-cap value investor?
Please let me know in the comments below.
That’s all I’ve got for today.
Ciao for now.
Important Information
Investment Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax or professional advice. Investments carry risks and are not guaranteed; errors in data may occur. Past performance, including backtest results, does not guarantee future outcomes. Please note that indexes are benchmarks and not directly investable. All examples are purely hypothetical. Do your own due diligence. You should conduct your own research and consult a professional advisor before making investment decisions.
“Picture Perfect Portfolios” does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the information in this post and is not responsible for any financial losses or damages incurred from relying on this information. Investing involves the risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. When it comes to capital efficiency, using leverage (or leveraged products) in investing amplifies both potential gains and losses, making it possible to lose more than your initial investment. It involves higher risk and costs, including possible margin calls and interest expenses, which can adversely affect your financial condition. The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of anyone else. You can read my complete disclaimer here.
