DLN vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DLN (WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - DLN tracks the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DLN returned 12.68%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DLN charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

DLN vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) 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 DLN having a 9.93% return and VUG slightly lower at 9.49%. Over the past 10 years, DLN has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 12.68%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.

DLN

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.93%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.96%
• 1Y: 22.38%
• 3Y*: 18.35%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

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)

DLN vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	9.93%	15.53%	19.66%	9.95%	-3.78%	25.60%	4.59%	28.91%	-5.82%	18.22%
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 DLN and VUG is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2006	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between DLN and VUG has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DLN vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DLN	VUG
Technology	20.1%	53.5%
Financial Services	18.0%	4.3%
Healthcare	12.6%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	1.5%
Energy	8.5%	0.4%
Industrials	7.9%	3.6%
Communication Services	7.8%	17.3%
Utilities	5.9%	0.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	12.2%
Real Estate	4.0%	1.0%
Basic Materials	1.0%	0.6%

Return for Risk

DLN vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

DLN

DLN Risk / Return Rank: 77
DLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DLN Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DLN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DLN vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) 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.

	DLN	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.77	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	2.40	+1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.31	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	1.69	+1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	5.92	+9.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DLN vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DLN Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DLN 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

	DLN	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.77	+0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.68	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.85	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.62	-0.09

Drawdowns

DLN vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLN drawdown since its inception was -57.84%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLN and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLN	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.84%	-50.68%	-7.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.10%	-16.53%	+10.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.71%	-22.85%	+9.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.26%	-35.61%	+19.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.82%	-35.61%	-0.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-1.51%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.52%	-7.09%	-0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.44%	4.71%	-3.27%

Volatility

DLN vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) is 2.17%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 3.83%. This indicates that DLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DLN	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	3.83%	-1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.77%	12.11%	-5.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.87%	15.84%	-6.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.26%	22.22%	-8.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.16%	21.44%	-5.28%

DLN vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DLN has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DLN vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

DLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	1.79%	1.90%	2.00%	2.43%	2.53%	2.01%	2.66%	2.51%	2.90%	2.33%	2.64%	2.80%
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 DLN and VUG in my portfolio?

DLN and VUG have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DLN or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to DLN (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLN dropped -57.84% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, DLN or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.26% vs 12.68% for DLN. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, DLN has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DLN or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.26% return vs 12.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DLN or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DLN.

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

DLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between DLN and VUG?

DLN tracks WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DLN and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 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.