^VIX vs. MGK

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) 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

^VIX vs. MGK - Performance Comparison

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

^VIX vs. MGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^VIX CBOE Volatility Index	64.15%	-13.83%	39.36%	-42.55%	25.84%	-24.31%	65.09%	-45.79%	130.25%	-21.37%
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, ^VIX achieves a 64.15% return, which is significantly higher than MGK's -9.86% return. Over the past 10 years, ^VIX has underperformed MGK with an annualized return of 6.48%, while MGK has yielded a comparatively higher 16.97% annualized return.

^VIX

• 1D: -2.81%
• 1M: 14.46%
• YTD: 64.15%
• 6M: 50.64%
• 1Y: 12.72%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: 6.48%

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

^VIX vs. MGK — Risk / Return Rank

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

^VIX

^VIX Risk / Return Rank: 24
^VIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
^VIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
^VIX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
^VIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
^VIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

^VIX vs. MGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) 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.

	^VIX	MGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.09	0.85	-0.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.19	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.58	1.23	-1.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.75	4.27	-5.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^VIX vs. MGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^VIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.09, which is lower than the MGK Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^VIX 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

	^VIX	MGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09	0.85	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.56	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05	0.78	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.60	-0.59

Correlation

The correlation between ^VIX and MGK is -0.74. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Drawdowns

^VIX vs. MGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^VIX drawdown since its inception was -88.70%, which is greater than MGK's maximum drawdown of -47.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^VIX and MGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	^VIX	MGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.70%	-47.97%	-40.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-74.26%	-16.85%	-57.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.26%	-36.01%	-38.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.66%	-36.01%	-49.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-70.32%	-12.56%	-57.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.04%	-7.51%	-56.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	46.08%	4.87%	+41.21%

Volatility

^VIX vs. MGK - Volatility Comparison

CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) has a higher volatility of 48.46% compared to Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) at 7.13%. This indicates that ^VIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^VIX	MGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	48.46%	7.13%	+41.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	93.57%	12.93%	+80.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	139.41%	23.35%	+116.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	125.25%	22.63%	+102.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	135.98%	21.82%	+114.16%