IPO vs. VOT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IPO (Renaissance IPO ETF) and VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - IPO tracks the Renaissance IPO Index while VOT tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IPO returned 11.10%/yr vs 12.21%/yr for VOT. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IPO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VOT.

Performance

IPO vs. VOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IPO achieves a 24.27% return, which is significantly higher than VOT's 9.14% return. Over the past 10 years, IPO has underperformed VOT with an annualized return of 11.10%, while VOT has yielded a comparatively higher 12.21% annualized return.

IPO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 10.70%
• YTD: 24.27%
• 6M: 21.48%
• 1Y: 30.62%
• 3Y*: 22.67%
• 5Y*: -1.34%
• 10Y*: 11.10%

VOT

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

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

IPO vs. VOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IPO Renaissance IPO ETF	24.27%	5.45%	15.68%	52.55%	-57.26%	-10.31%	107.88%	34.11%	-17.24%	37.16%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	9.14%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%

Correlation

The correlation between IPO and VOT is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2013	0.81

The correlation between IPO and VOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

IPO vs. VOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IPO	VOT
Technology	40.3%	28.9%
Consumer Cyclical	14.4%	13.9%
Healthcare	10.8%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	0.8%
Industrials	9.1%	23.7%
Communication Services	6.6%	3.8%
Financial Services	4.3%	6.8%
Real Estate	4.0%	4.8%
Energy	1.1%	2.7%
Utilities	0.3%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

IPO vs. VOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IPO

IPO Risk / Return Rank: 27
IPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IPO Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
IPO Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 22
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

IPO vs. VOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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.

	IPO	VOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	0.78	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	1.18	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.14	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	0.77	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.63	2.31	+0.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IPO vs. VOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IPO Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is higher than the VOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IPO and VOT, 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

	IPO	VOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	0.78	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	0.33	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.58	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.45	-0.15

Drawdowns

IPO vs. VOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IPO drawdown since its inception was -68.76%, which is greater than VOT's maximum drawdown of -60.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IPO and VOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IPO	VOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.76%	-60.16%	-8.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.24%	-15.96%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.04%	-21.77%	-10.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.02%	-37.19%	-28.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-68.76%	-37.19%	-31.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.91%	-0.14%	-24.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.93%	-9.96%	-12.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.67%	5.32%	+6.35%

Volatility

IPO vs. VOT - Volatility Comparison

Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO) has a higher volatility of 9.57% compared to Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) at 4.30%. This indicates that IPO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IPO	VOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.57%	4.30%	+5.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.24%	12.37%	+9.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.91%	15.79%	+13.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.84%	21.35%	+14.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.49%	20.98%	+10.51%

IPO vs. VOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IPO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VOT's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

IPO vs. VOT - Dividend Comparison

IPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than VOT's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IPO Renaissance IPO ETF	0.46%	0.66%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.10%	0.26%	0.49%	0.43%	0.40%	0.11%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IPO and VOT in my portfolio?

IPO and VOT have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IPO or VOT?

IPO has higher volatility (9.57%) compared to VOT (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IPO dropped -68.76% vs VOT's -60.16%.

Which ETF is better, IPO or VOT?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 12.21% vs 11.10% for IPO. On fees, VOT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IPO or VOT?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 12.21% return vs 11.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IPO or VOT?

VOT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for IPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IPO or VOT?

VOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.46% for IPO.

What is the main difference between IPO and VOT?

IPO tracks Renaissance IPO Index, while VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Renaissance Capital and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for IPO and 0.05% for VOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.78), 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.