Should Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) Be on Your Investing Radar?

Core Insights - The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) is a significant player in the Small Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with assets exceeding $64.97 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in this category [1] Investment Potential - Small cap companies, defined as those with market capitalizations below $2 billion, present high potential but also come with increased risks [2] - Blend ETFs, like VB, typically hold a mix of growth and value stocks, showcasing characteristics of both types of equities [2] Cost Structure - The annual operating expenses for the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF are 0.05%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in the market [3] - The ETF has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.36% [3] Sector Allocation and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation to the Industrials sector, comprising approximately 20.90% of the portfolio, followed by Financials and Information Technology [4] - Individual holdings include Slcmt1142 at about 1% of total assets, along with Nrg Energy Inc (NRG) and Expand Energy Corp (EXE) [5] Performance Metrics - VB aims to replicate the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Index, which includes U.S. companies in the bottom 2%-15% of investable market capitalization [6] - As of July 10, 2025, the ETF has gained about 2.09% year-to-date and approximately 14.26% over the past year, with a trading range between $193.73 and $261.58 in the last 52 weeks [7] - The ETF has a beta of 1.07 and a standard deviation of 20.67% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile [7] Competitive Landscape - The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong expected performance based on various factors [8] - Alternatives in the market include the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) with $66.93 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.19%, and the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) with $81.70 billion in assets and an expense ratio of 0.06% [9] Conclusion - Passively managed ETFs like VB are increasingly favored by both retail and institutional investors due to their low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency, making them suitable for long-term investment strategies [10]