FTEC vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTEC returned 25.57%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTEC charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

FTEC vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) 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, FTEC achieves a 31.89% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FTEC has outperformed VUG with an annualized return of 25.57%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively lower 18.26% annualized return.

FTEC

• 1D: -1.49%
• 1M: 18.21%
• YTD: 31.89%
• 6M: 30.74%
• 1Y: 60.87%
• 3Y*: 33.93%
• 5Y*: 22.49%
• 10Y*: 25.57%

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)

FTEC vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	31.89%	22.11%	29.40%	53.30%	-29.59%	30.49%	45.83%	48.93%	-0.39%	36.83%
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 FTEC and VUG is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2013	0.95

The correlation between FTEC and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTEC vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTEC	VUG
Technology	98.0%	53.5%
Industrials	0.6%	3.6%
Financial Services	0.6%	4.3%
Energy	0.4%	0.4%
Communication Services	0.0%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	0.0%	12.2%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.5%
Healthcare	-	4.6%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

FTEC vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTEC

FTEC Risk / Return Rank: 77
FTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
FTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

FTEC vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) 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.

	FTEC	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	1.77	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	2.40	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.31	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.76	1.69	+2.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	5.92	+6.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTEC vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.97, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTEC 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

	FTEC	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.97	1.77	+1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	0.68	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.04	0.85	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	0.62	+0.37

Drawdowns

FTEC vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTEC drawdown since its inception was -34.95%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTEC and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTEC	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.95%	-50.68%	+15.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.26%	-16.53%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.30%	-22.85%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.95%	-35.61%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.95%	-35.61%	+0.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.49%	-1.51%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.56%	-7.09%	+1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.05%	4.71%	+0.34%

Volatility

FTEC vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that FTEC'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

	FTEC	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.43%	3.83%	+2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.14%	12.11%	+4.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.63%	15.84%	+4.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.23%	22.22%	+3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.69%	21.44%	+3.25%

FTEC vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTEC has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FTEC vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

FTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, less than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.32%	0.43%	0.49%	0.77%	0.93%	0.63%	0.83%	1.03%	1.20%	0.96%	1.25%	1.27%
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 FTEC and VUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FTEC 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.

Which is riskier, FTEC or VUG?

FTEC has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTEC dropped -34.95% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, FTEC or VUG?

On 10-year performance, FTEC leads with 25.57% vs 18.26% for VUG. 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, FTEC or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, FTEC has performed better with a 25.57% return vs 18.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTEC or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for FTEC.

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

VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.32% for FTEC.

What is the main difference between FTEC and VUG?

FTEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. FTEC tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for FTEC and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 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.