EAEAX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EAEAX (Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - EAEAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by BlackRock, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, EAEAX returned 11.69%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EAEAX charges 1.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

EAEAX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund (EAEAX) 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, EAEAX achieves a 9.24% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 10.86% return. Over the past 10 years, EAEAX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 11.69%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

EAEAX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 3.63%
• YTD: 9.24%
• 6M: 9.74%
• 1Y: 22.01%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

VUG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.37%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

EAEAX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EAEAX Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund	9.24%	12.06%	17.99%	20.69%	-18.19%	21.24%	15.47%	27.44%	-5.86%	19.16%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	10.86%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between EAEAX and VUG is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.92

The correlation between EAEAX and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EAEAX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAEAX

EAEAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
EAEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
EAEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
EAEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
EAEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
EAEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

EAEAX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund (EAEAX) 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.

	EAEAX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.93	+0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.60	+0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.34	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	1.90	+0.49
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.89	6.65	+4.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAEAX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAEAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAEAX 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

	EAEAX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	1.93	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.71	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.86	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.62	-0.15

Drawdowns

EAEAX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAEAX drawdown since its inception was -53.71%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAEAX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAEAX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.71%	-50.68%	-3.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.37%	-16.53%	+7.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.69%	-22.85%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.72%	-35.61%	+10.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.74%	-35.61%	+0.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.28%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.82%	-7.09%	-0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	4.71%	-2.66%

Volatility

EAEAX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund (EAEAX) is 2.97%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 3.52%. This indicates that EAEAX 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

	EAEAX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	3.52%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.64%	12.05%	-3.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.31%	15.80%	-4.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.67%	22.22%	-6.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.84%	21.44%	-4.60%

EAEAX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAEAX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

EAEAX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

EAEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EAEAX Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund	3.93%	4.29%	0.80%	0.53%	0.79%	2.58%	0.57%	1.87%	2.12%	3.13%	1.10%	6.32%
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 EAEAX and VUG in my portfolio?

EAEAX and VUG have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EAEAX or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (3.52%) compared to EAEAX (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAEAX dropped -53.71% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EAEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.93), 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.