Vanguard’s Small-Cap Growth ETF holds roughly $21.9 billion in assets under management, dwarfing State Street’s SLYG, which manages approximately $1.1 billion. VBK charges an expense ratio of just 0.07%, less than half of SLYG’s 0.15%. Over the past year, VBK delivered a total return of about 28%, compared with SLYG’s 22%. However, VBK also experienced a deeper drawdown during the past five-year market cycle, falling roughly 22% from peak to trough versus SLYG’s 18%. Investors weighing cost efficiency, scale and volatility profiles will find VBK’s lower fees and larger asset base compelling, though they should be prepared for comparatively greater downside risk in turbulent markets.

In the third quarter, Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in VBK by 7.5%, acquiring an additional 2,709 shares to bring its total to 38,710 shares, valued at about $11.5 million. Mechanics Bank Trust Department boosted its position by 22.2%, adding 6,939 shares for a total holding of 38,129 shares (approximately $11.35 million). Brookstone Capital Management more than doubled its exposure with a 115.8% increase, acquiring 5,192 shares to reach 9,677 shares (around $2.88 million). B. Riley Wealth Advisors initiated a new position valued at roughly $5.44 million in the second quarter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC expanded its stake by 62.6%, purchasing 602 additional shares to hold 1,563 shares (about $432,000). Clayton Financial Group LLC made the largest proportional move, increasing its stake by 119.0% with 8,535 new shares, bringing its total to 15,707 shares (approximately $4.68 million). These shifts underscore growing institutional confidence in VBK’s small-cap growth exposure.