CHGX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CHGX (Change Finance U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - CHGX tracks the Change Finance Diversified Impact U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CHGX returned 11.13%/yr vs 15.11%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CHGX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

CHGX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Change Finance U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free ETF (CHGX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CHGX achieves a 22.80% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return.

CHGX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 10.61%
• YTD: 22.80%
• 6M: 22.28%
• 1Y: 33.91%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 11.13%
• 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)

CHGX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CHGX Change Finance U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free ETF	22.80%	12.13%	15.16%	23.65%	-21.77%	22.72%	24.10%	33.07%	-5.79%	4.34%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between CHGX and VUG is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2017	0.81

The correlation between CHGX and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.87 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CHGX vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CHGX	VUG
Technology	29.7%	53.5%
Financial Services	17.7%	4.3%
Healthcare	15.7%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	12.2%
Communication Services	8.9%	17.3%
Industrials	5.8%	3.6%
Real Estate	4.1%	1.0%
Basic Materials	3.3%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	1.5%
Energy	2.2%	0.4%
Utilities	1.0%	0.9%

Return for Risk

CHGX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

CHGX

CHGX Risk / Return Rank: 76
CHGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
CHGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
CHGX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
CHGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
CHGX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

CHGX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Change Finance U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free ETF (CHGX) 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.

	CHGX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.77	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	2.40	+1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.31	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	1.69	+2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.81	5.92	+9.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CHGX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CHGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CHGX 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

	CHGX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.77	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.68	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.62	+0.10

Drawdowns

CHGX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CHGX drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CHGX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	CHGX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.49%	-50.68%	+15.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.50%	-16.53%	+8.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.09%	-22.85%	+4.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.26%	-35.61%	+5.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-1.51%	+1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.43%	-7.09%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	4.71%	-2.56%

Volatility

CHGX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Change Finance U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free ETF (CHGX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) have volatilities of 3.97% 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.

Volatility by Period

	CHGX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	3.83%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.67%	12.11%	-1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.70%	15.84%	-2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.58%	22.22%	-4.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.35%	21.44%	-2.09%

CHGX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

CHGX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

CHGX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

CHGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CHGX Change Finance U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free ETF	0.55%	0.67%	0.76%	0.94%	1.11%	0.56%	0.58%	0.86%	0.00%	0.59%	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

Can I hold both CHGX and VUG in my portfolio?

CHGX and VUG have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CHGX or VUG?

CHGX has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CHGX dropped -35.49% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, CHGX or VUG?

On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 15.11% vs 11.13% for CHGX. 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, CHGX or VUG?

Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 15.11% return vs 11.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CHGX or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for CHGX.

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

CHGX has the higher dividend yield at 0.55%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between CHGX and VUG?

CHGX tracks Change Finance Diversified Impact U.S. Large Cap Fossil Fuel Free Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Change Finance and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for CHGX and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CHGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.77), 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.