ISRG vs. VUG

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ISRG (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) is a stock, while VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, ISRG returned 16.51%/yr vs 17.41%/yr for VUG. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ISRG vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) 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, ISRG achieves a -37.64% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.18% return. Over the past 10 years, ISRG has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 16.51%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.41% annualized return.

ISRG

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: -13.18%
• 6M: -33.99%
• YTD: -37.64%
• 1Y: -31.90%
• 3Y*: 1.61%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 16.51%
• ALL TIME*: 21.90%

VUG

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -1.79%
• 6M: 5.78%
• YTD: 5.18%
• 1Y: 14.67%
• 3Y*: 21.89%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 17.41%
• ALL TIME*: 12.11%

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

ISRG vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	-37.64%	8.51%	54.72%	27.14%	-26.15%	31.76%	38.39%	23.43%	31.23%	72.64%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.18%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ISRG and VUG is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between ISRG and VUG has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ISRG vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISRG

ISRG Risk / Return Rank: 9
ISRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
ISRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
ISRG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
ISRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
ISRG Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

ISRG vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ISRG	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.91	0.85	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.24	1.26	-2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.16	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	0.89	-1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.77	2.92	-4.69

ISRG vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISRG Sharpe Ratio is -0.91, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISRG 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.

Drawdowns

ISRG vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISRG drawdown since its inception was -82.26%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISRG and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISRG	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.26%	-50.68%	-31.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.74%	-16.53%	-25.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.42%	-22.85%	-20.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.90%	-35.61%	-14.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.90%	-35.61%	-14.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-42.15%	-5.39%	-36.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.33%	-7.08%	-14.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.06%	5.04%	+13.02%

Volatility

ISRG vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) has a higher volatility of 19.26% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.71%. This indicates that ISRG'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

	ISRG	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.26%	5.71%	+13.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.17%	14.01%	+13.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.38%	17.34%	+18.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.17%	22.45%	+11.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.87%	21.52%	+11.35%

Dividends

ISRG vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

ISRG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.40%	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 ISRG and VUG in my portfolio?

ISRG and VUG have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISRG or VUG?

ISRG has higher volatility (19.26%) compared to VUG (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISRG dropped -82.26% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs -0.91), 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.