ETFs · ETF deep dive · Published 2026-05-15 · 12 min

VBR ETF Analysis: Holdings, Fees, Inception, Sectors, And Portfolio Role

VBR is Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF, issued by Vanguard. Review its inception date, expense ratio, index strategy, top holdings, sector exposure, risks, and portfolio role.

Summary

VBR is Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF, a Small Value issued by Vanguard. Latest snapshot: inception Jan 26, 2004, expense ratio 0.05%, AUM $34.65B, 844 holdings, top-10 weight 6.26%, and mandate/index: CRSP US Small Value

VBR is best read as a size diversification sleeve away from mega-cap stocks, not just a ticker symbol.
AUM and cost: $34.65B; expense ratio 0.05%.
Concentration: 844 holdings; top-10 weight 6.26%, which is low.
Largest visible exposure: Financials at 21.24%.

ETF Profile

The facts that define ownership cost, structure, and portfolio behavior.

Issuer Vanguard
Expense ratio 0.05%
Holdings 844 holdings
Top-10 weight 6.26%
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Investor Checklist

  • Issuer and listing venue: Vanguard, NYSEARCA.
  • Launch date and fee: Jan 26, 2004, 0.05%.
  • Portfolio size and concentration: 844 holdings, with the top 10 at 6.26%.
  • Primary exposure: Equity; Small Value; North America; Index: CRSP US Small Value
  • Best use case: Factor or style sleeve that can complement a broad index fund and change portfolio exposure by valuation, growth, dividend, or quality profile.
  • Main risk to respect: The key risk is that VBR's stated diversification may not protect investors if its dominant exposure, largest holdings, or main macro factor reverses. Current top-10 concentration is 6.26%.

VBR Investor Snapshot

VBR is Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF, issued by Vanguard. It is best understood as a size diversification sleeve away from mega-cap stocks. The fund has $34.65B in AUM, charges 0.05%, holds 844 holdings, and has top-10 concentration of 6.26%. Its largest listed holdings include Jabil Inc. (0.77%), Flex Ltd. (0.76%), NRG Energy, Inc. (0.75%).

VBR ETF Facts: Launch Date, Issuer, Fee, Assets, And Strategy

VBR is Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF. Issuer: Vanguard. Exchange: NYSEARCA. Inception: Jan 26, 2004. Expense ratio: 0.05%. AUM: $34.65B. Mandate or tracked index: CRSP US Small Value

VBR Top Holdings And Concentration

Holdings snapshot: Apr 30, 2026. VBR has 844 holdings. The top 10 positions account for 6.26%, so investors should read the fund through its largest holdings first rather than assuming every ETF is equally diversified.

  • $JBL - Jabil Inc.: 0.77%
  • $FLEX - Flex Ltd.: 0.76%
  • $NRG - NRG Energy, Inc.: 0.75%
  • $ATO - Atmos Energy Corporation: 0.71%
  • $TPR - Tapestry, Inc.: 0.67%
  • $UTHR - United Therapeutics Corporation: 0.57%
  • $OMC - Omnicom Group Inc.: 0.54%
  • VBR - Slcmt1142: 0.52%
  • $WSM - Williams-Sonoma, Inc.: 0.49%
  • $CHRW - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.: 0.49%

VBR Sector And Industry Exposure

VBR exposure summary: Equity; Small Value; North America; Index: CRSP US Small Value. These exposures explain what investors actually own after buying the ETF. A broad fund is usually driven by sector weights and mega-cap leadership; a sector or thematic fund is driven by the industry cycle; a bond or alternative asset fund is driven by macro variables rather than company earnings.

  • Financials: 21.24%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Industrials: 20.21%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Consumer Discretionary: 11.08%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Real Estate: 8.27%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Health Care: 7.58%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Materials: 7.18%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Technology: 6.91%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Utilities: 5.64%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Consumer Staples: 4.04%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.
  • Energy: 3.37%. Sector weight from the latest public ETF holdings snapshot.

VBR Fees, Liquidity, And Product Structure

VBR trades on NYSEARCA. The stated expense ratio is 0.05%, and current AUM is $34.65B. Lower fees matter most for long holding periods, while AUM and trading depth matter when investors place larger orders or need reliable execution during volatile sessions.

VBR Return Drivers: What Has To Go Right

The return drivers for VBR are domestic earnings breadth, credit conditions, rates, refinancing costs, and small-cap risk appetite. That matters because two ETFs can both look diversified but respond to very different conditions. For VBR, investors should compare price performance with the fund's dominant exposure, the largest holdings, and the macro factor behind the category.

VBR Current Market Theme

Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF is a Small Value ETF with $34.65B in AUM, 844 holdings, top-10 concentration of 6.26%, and a leading exposure to Financials (21.24%). The largest holdings include Jabil Inc. (0.77%), Flex Ltd. (0.76%), NRG Energy, Inc. (0.75%).

When VBR Tends To Work

VBR tends to work when domestic earnings breadth, credit conditions, rates, refinancing costs, and small-cap risk appetite are moving in the fund's favor.

VBR Portfolio Role: Core Holding Or Satellite Position?

Factor or style sleeve that can complement a broad index fund and change portfolio exposure by valuation, growth, dividend, or quality profile. In practical portfolio terms, VBR should be sized according to whether it is replacing broad market exposure, adding a factor tilt, expressing a sector view, or hedging a macro risk. The more concentrated the fund, the less it should be treated as a complete portfolio by itself.

VBR Key Risks Investors Should Watch

The main risks are specific enough to check before buying, not generic ETF fine print.

  • Market risk: VBR can fall with its asset class even when the fund structure works as designed.
  • Concentration risk: top-10 weight is 6.26%, which is low for an ETF in this category.
  • Exposure risk: the main exposure is Equity; Small Value; North America; Index: CRSP US Small Value
  • Fee and trading risk: expense ratio is 0.05%; investors should still check spread, volume, and premium/discount before large orders.
  • Thesis risk: The key risk is that VBR's stated diversification may not protect investors if its dominant exposure, largest holdings, or main macro factor reverses. Current top-10 concentration is 6.26%.

Who VBR Is Suitable For

VBR can be useful, but the right investor depends on time horizon, existing overlap, and drawdown tolerance.

  • More suitable for investors who need a size diversification sleeve away from mega-cap stocks.
  • More suitable for investors who understand that VBR's top holdings and sector exposures can dominate short-term returns.
  • Less suitable for investors who need stable cash income unless the fund's underlying asset class is explicitly income-oriented.
  • Less suitable for investors already heavily exposed to the same largest holdings or same macro factor.

VBR What To Monitor Next

VBR should be reviewed after new holdings files, major market moves, or category-specific catalysts. The most important checks are:

  • Holdings as of Apr 30, 2026.
  • AUM: $34.65B.
  • Expense ratio: 0.05%.
  • Top-10 weight: 6.26%.

VBR Action Reference

A useful ETF article should end with a decision framework. For VBR, the practical read is:

  • Core-index investor: use as a satellite rather than a replacement for broad diversification.
  • Theme investor: check whether the latest holdings still match the investment thesis.
  • Risk-control investor: cap position size because sector/factor ETFs can underperform for long stretches.

VBR Bottom Line

VBR is not just a fund name. It is a package of exposures: Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF; issuer Vanguard; fee 0.05%; AUM $34.65B; 844 holdings; top-10 weight 6.26%; holdings date Apr 30, 2026. The investment case is strongest when the fund's largest holdings, main exposure, and category-level return drivers all point in the same direction.

Common Questions

What is VBR?

VBR is Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF, a Small Value issued by Vanguard.

When did VBR launch?

VBR's inception date is Jan 26, 2004.

What is the VBR expense ratio?

VBR charges an expense ratio of 0.05%.

What does VBR hold?

VBR holds 844 holdings. Major holdings include Jabil Inc. (0.77%), Flex Ltd. (0.76%), NRG Energy, Inc. (0.75%), Atmos Energy Corporation (0.71%), Tapestry, Inc. (0.67%).

Is VBR diversified?

VBR's top 10 holdings are 6.26%.

Who might use VBR?

Factor or style sleeve that can complement a broad index fund and change portfolio exposure by valuation, growth, dividend, or quality profile.

Risk Note This page is for education only and does not constitute investment advice. Investing involves risk.