^DJUSS vs. VGT

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

^DJUSS (Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Index) is an index, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, ^DJUSS returned 9.21%/yr vs 25.00%/yr for VGT. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

^DJUSS vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Index (^DJUSS) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^DJUSS achieves a 15.97% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 25.60% return. Over the past 10 years, ^DJUSS has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 9.21%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 25.00% annualized return.

^DJUSS

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.48%
• 6M: 10.76%
• YTD: 15.97%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 14.18%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

VGT

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.27%
• 6M: 24.25%
• YTD: 25.60%
• 1Y: 41.54%
• 3Y*: 29.85%
• 5Y*: 19.12%
• 10Y*: 25.00%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^DJUSS vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^DJUSS Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Index	15.97%	9.30%	12.68%	14.61%	-18.72%	19.06%	12.46%	25.42%	-12.11%	14.45%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	25.60%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between ^DJUSS and VGT is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.79

The correlation between ^DJUSS and VGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.79 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

^DJUSS vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^DJUSS

^DJUSS Risk / Return Rank: 57
^DJUSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
^DJUSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
^DJUSS Omega Ratio Rank: 46
^DJUSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
^DJUSS Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 61
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^DJUSS vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Index (^DJUSS) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	^DJUSS	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.76	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.28	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.30	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.49	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.90	7.26	+1.64

^DJUSS vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^DJUSS Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^DJUSS and VGT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

^DJUSS vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^DJUSS drawdown since its inception was -60.34%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^DJUSS and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	^DJUSS	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.34%	-54.63%	-5.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-16.40%	+7.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.38%	-27.23%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.67%	-35.07%	+7.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	-35.07%	-7.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.64%	-6.00%	+3.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-7.94%	-2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	5.61%	-3.22%

Volatility

^DJUSS vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Index (^DJUSS) is 5.81%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 9.70%. This indicates that ^DJUSS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^DJUSS	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.81%	9.70%	-3.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.53%	19.32%	-6.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.33%	23.23%	-6.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.12%	25.66%	-5.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	24.79%	-3.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^DJUSS and VGT in my portfolio?

^DJUSS and VGT have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^DJUSS or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (9.70%) compared to ^DJUSS (5.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^DJUSS dropped -60.34% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.30), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.