VBR vs ZPRX: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF against SPDR MSCI Europe Small Cap Value Weighted UCITS ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, VBR returned 15.6% a year and ZPRX 14.7% a year on average, so VBR came out ahead by 0.9% a year. VBR was the more volatile of the two (18.6% against 17.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 18.7% for VBR and 24.0% for ZPRX.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.79: they usually moved together. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, VBR did better in 59% and ZPRX in 41%.
VBR trades in USD and ZPRX in EUR: each return is in its own currency, so part of the gap reflects the move of the euro against the dollar.
Side by side
| VBR | ZPRX | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +15.6% | +14.7% |
| Total return | +151% | +139% |
| Annual volatility | 18.6% | 17.3% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −18.7% | −24.0% |
| Worst month | −10.3% | −12.4% |
| Best month | +17.4% | +21.8% |
| Positive months | 62% | 62% |
| Best year | 2021: +28.1% | 2021: +27.6% |
| Worst year | 2022: −9.4% | 2022: −13.5% |
| 1-year return | +16.8% | +18.0% |
| 5 years, a year | +8.2% | +8.3% |
| 10 years, a year | — | +8.6% |
| Trading currency | USD | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VBR vs ZPRX
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VBR | ZPRX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +9.1% | +26.8% |
| 2024 | +12.4% | +4.3% |
| 2023 | +16.0% | +15.3% |
| 2022 | −9.4% | −13.5% |
| 2021 | +28.1% | +27.6% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, VBR or ZPRX?
From July 2020 to October 2026, VBR returned +15.6% a year and ZPRX +14.7% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (USD and EUR). Over rolling 3-year periods VBR did better in 59% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VBR or ZPRX?
Over the same months annual volatility was 18.6% for VBR and 17.3% for ZPRX; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 18.7% and 24.0%, and the worst single month −10.3% and −12.4%.
How correlated are VBR and ZPRX?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.79: they usually moved together. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.