ACGR vs. VUG
ACGR (American Century Large Cap Growth ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ACGR tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACGR returned 15.06%/yr vs 15.11%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACGR charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.
Performance
ACGR vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ACGR achieves a 7.39% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 9.49% return.
ACGR
- 1D
- -1.23%
- 1M
- 6.10%
- YTD
- 7.39%
- 6M
- 6.90%
- 1Y
- 24.19%
- 3Y*
- 21.44%
- 5Y*
- 15.06%
- 10Y*
- —
VUG
- 1D
- -1.23%
- 1M
- 6.22%
- YTD
- 9.49%
- 6M
- 8.72%
- 1Y
- 27.84%
- 3Y*
- 25.93%
- 5Y*
- 15.11%
- 10Y*
- 18.26%
ACGR vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACGR American Century Large Cap Growth ETF | 7.39% | 14.50% | 26.66% | 43.24% | -30.13% | 39.24% | 11.27% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 9.49% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 33.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between ACGR and VUG is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2020 | 0.84 |
The correlation between ACGR and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.98 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ACGR vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
ACGR
VUG
ACGR vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Large Cap Growth ETF (ACGR) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.
| ACGR | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.31 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 1.69 | -0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.20 | 5.92 | -0.72 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ACGR | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.57 | 1.77 | -0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.70 | 0.68 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.85 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.70 | 0.62 | +0.08 |
Drawdowns
ACGR vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ACGR drawdown since its inception was -34.54%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACGR and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ACGR | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.54% | -50.68% | +16.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.84% | -16.53% | +0.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.58% | -22.85% | -1.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.54% | -35.61% | +1.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.68% | -1.51% | -0.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.50% | -7.09% | -1.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.66% | 4.71% | -0.05% |
Volatility
ACGR vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
American Century Large Cap Growth ETF (ACGR) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) have volatilities of 3.65% and 3.83%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ACGR | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.65% | 3.83% | -0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.95% | 12.11% | -0.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.49% | 15.84% | -0.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.51% | 22.22% | -0.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.42% | 21.44% | -0.02% |
ACGR vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
ACGR has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
ACGR vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
ACGR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than VUG's 0.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACGR American Century Large Cap Growth ETF | 0.09% | 0.11% | 0.23% | 0.37% | 0.48% | 0.58% | 1.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.37% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, ACGR and VUG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VUG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to ACGR (3.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACGR dropped -34.54% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 15.11% vs 15.06% for ACGR. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ACGR has been the lower-risk option at 3.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 15.11% return vs 15.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ACGR.
VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.09% for ACGR.
ACGR tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ACGR and 0.03% for VUG.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.57), 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.
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