^SP600 vs. MGK

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about S&P 600 (^SP600) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK).

MGK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Dec 17, 2007.

Performance

^SP600 vs. MGK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in S&P 600 (^SP600) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

^SP600 vs. MGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^SP600 S&P 600	3.65%	4.23%	6.82%	13.89%	-17.42%	25.27%	9.57%	20.86%	-9.75%	11.73%
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	-9.86%	20.67%	32.94%	51.67%	-33.59%	28.58%	41.01%	37.38%	-2.91%	29.49%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^SP600 achieves a 3.65% return, which is significantly higher than MGK's -9.86% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SP600 has underperformed MGK with an annualized return of 8.26%, while MGK has yielded a comparatively higher 16.97% annualized return.

^SP600

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -4.39%
• YTD: 3.65%
• 6M: 4.71%
• 1Y: 18.85%
• 3Y*: 8.77%
• 5Y*: 2.57%
• 10Y*: 8.26%

MGK

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: -4.13%
• YTD: -9.86%
• 6M: -7.94%
• 1Y: 19.83%
• 3Y*: 22.59%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 16.97%

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

Return for Risk

^SP600 vs. MGK — Risk / Return Rank

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

^SP600

^SP600 Risk / Return Rank: 54
^SP600 Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
^SP600 Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
^SP600 Omega Ratio Rank: 51
^SP600 Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
^SP600 Martin Ratio Rank: 59

MGK

MGK Risk / Return Rank: 46
MGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
MGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
MGK Omega Ratio Rank: 48
MGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
MGK Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

^SP600 vs. MGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 600 (^SP600) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK). 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.

	^SP600	MGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	0.85	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	1.39	-0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.19	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	1.23	+0.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.11	4.27	+0.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^SP600 vs. MGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^SP600 Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is comparable to the MGK Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^SP600 and MGK, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^SP600	MGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	0.85	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.56	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.78	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.60	-0.16

Correlation

The correlation between ^SP600 and MGK is 0.74, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

^SP600 vs. MGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^SP600 drawdown since its inception was -59.17%, which is greater than MGK's maximum drawdown of -47.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SP600 and MGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	^SP600	MGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.17%	-47.97%	-11.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.89%	-16.85%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.39%	-36.01%	+7.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.77%	-36.01%	-9.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.55%	-12.56%	+7.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.31%	-7.51%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	4.87%	-1.13%

Volatility

^SP600 vs. MGK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for S&P 600 (^SP600) is 6.26%, while Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) has a volatility of 7.13%. This indicates that ^SP600 experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^SP600	MGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.26%	7.13%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.06%	12.93%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.74%	23.35%	-0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.56%	22.63%	-1.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.19%	21.82%	+1.37%