ACSI vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - ACSI tracks the American Customer Satisfaction Investable Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACSI returned 9.12%/yr vs 15.11%/yr for VUG. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACSI charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

ACSI vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Customer Satisfaction ETF (ACSI) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ACSI having a 9.66% return and VUG slightly lower at 9.49%.

ACSI

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 5.55%
• YTD: 9.66%
• 6M: 9.77%
• 1Y: 18.71%
• 3Y*: 18.51%
• 5Y*: 9.12%
• 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%

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

ACSI vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACSI American Customer Satisfaction ETF	9.66%	10.70%	22.51%	21.06%	-20.93%	23.33%	22.93%	24.88%	-4.97%	15.77%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ACSI and VUG is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2016	0.78

The correlation between ACSI and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.83 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ACSI vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACSI	VUG
Consumer Cyclical	24.2%	12.2%
Communication Services	15.4%	17.3%
Technology	12.5%	53.5%
Consumer Defensive	12.4%	1.5%
Financial Services	9.6%	4.3%
Healthcare	8.5%	4.6%
Industrials	7.3%	3.6%
Utilities	3.9%	0.9%
Energy	3.4%	0.4%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Real Estate	-	1.0%

Return for Risk

ACSI vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACSI

ACSI Risk / Return Rank: 48
ACSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
ACSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ACSI Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ACSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
ACSI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

ACSI vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Customer Satisfaction ETF (ACSI) 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.

	ACSI	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.77	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.40	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	1.69	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.45	5.92	+3.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACSI vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACSI and VUG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACSI	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	1.77	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.68	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.62	+0.13

Drawdowns

ACSI vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACSI drawdown since its inception was -34.49%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACSI and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACSI	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.49%	-50.68%	+16.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.76%	-16.53%	+8.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.27%	-22.85%	+7.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.86%	-35.61%	+10.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.38%	-1.51%	-0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.39%	-7.09%	+1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	4.71%	-2.73%

Volatility

ACSI vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

American Customer Satisfaction ETF (ACSI) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that ACSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACSI	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	3.83%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.88%	12.11%	-3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.56%	15.84%	-4.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.66%	22.22%	-5.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.43%	21.44%	-4.01%

ACSI vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACSI has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACSI vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

ACSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACSI American Customer Satisfaction ETF	0.83%	0.91%	0.69%	1.01%	0.81%	0.31%	0.82%	1.64%	1.59%	1.20%	0.18%	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

Can I hold both ACSI and VUG in my portfolio?

ACSI and VUG have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACSI or VUG?

ACSI has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACSI dropped -34.49% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, ACSI or VUG?

On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 15.11% vs 9.12% for ACSI. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACSI or VUG?

Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 15.11% return vs 9.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACSI or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for ACSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACSI or VUG?

ACSI has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between ACSI and VUG?

ACSI tracks American Customer Satisfaction Investable Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Exponential ETFs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for ACSI and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.63), 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.