In a head-to-head comparison, Vanguard’s Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) maintains a clear cost advantage over State Street’s SLYG, with an expense ratio of 0.07% versus SLYG’s 0.15%. VBK’s asset base stands at approximately $22 billion, more than double SLYG’s asset level. Over the past year, VBK delivered a total return of 18.4%, outpacing SLYG by 120 basis points. However, over the five-year period VBK experienced a peak-to-trough drawdown of 28.6%, compared with SLYG’s shallower 24.3% drawdown, underscoring VBK’s higher volatility during market downturns.

According to the latest 13F filings, Cerity Partners LLC raised its VBK position by 7.5%, acquiring an additional 2,709 shares to reach 38,710 shares valued at $11.5 million. Mechanics Bank Trust Department followed with a 22.2% increase, adding 6,939 shares to hold 38,129 shares worth $11.3 million. Brookstone Capital Management more than doubled its allocation, up 115.8% to 9,677 shares valued at $2.9 million. B. Riley Wealth Advisors initiated a new stake in the second quarter valued at $5.4 million. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC boosted its VBK holding by 62.6% to 1,563 shares worth $432,000, and Clayton Financial Group LLC expanded its stake by 119.0% to 15,707 shares valued at $4.7 million. These moves highlight growing confidence among a diverse set of institutional managers in VBK’s small-cap growth exposure.