IUSG vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 900 Growth Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSG returned 17.63%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IUSG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

IUSG vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IUSG achieves a 10.18% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSG has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 17.63%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.02% annualized return.

IUSG

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -0.99%
• YTD: 10.18%
• 6M: 11.00%
• 1Y: 29.29%
• 3Y*: 25.32%
• 5Y*: 14.55%
• 10Y*: 17.63%

VTI

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 26.27%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

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

IUSG vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	10.18%	21.23%	34.70%	29.28%	-28.81%	31.26%	32.65%	30.62%	-0.79%	27.02%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.62%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSG and VTI is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.94

The correlation between IUSG and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

IUSG vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IUSG	VTI
Technology	50.5%	33.3%
Communication Services	15.7%	10.1%
Financial Services	8.6%	11.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	9.8%
Industrials	6.5%	9.5%
Healthcare	6.4%	9.1%
Utilities	1.1%	2.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	4.7%
Real Estate	0.8%	2.4%
Basic Materials	0.5%	2.0%
Energy	0.3%	3.8%

Return for Risk

IUSG vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IUSG

IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 54
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

IUSG vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	IUSG	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.97	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.67	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.35	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.79	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.79	12.52	-3.72

IUSG vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSG Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSG and VTI, 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

IUSG vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSG drawdown since its inception was -63.41%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSG and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IUSG	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.41%	-55.45%	-7.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-8.92%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.28%	-19.30%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.21%	-25.36%	-6.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.35%	-35.00%	+2.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-2.14%	-2.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.42%	-8.02%	-13.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	1.99%	+1.17%

Volatility

IUSG vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) has a higher volatility of 6.20% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.50%. This indicates that IUSG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IUSG	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.20%	4.50%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.25%	9.82%	+3.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.46%	12.64%	+3.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.97%	17.47%	+3.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.46%	18.33%	+2.13%

IUSG vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI'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

IUSG vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

IUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than VTI's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	0.49%	0.53%	0.59%	1.12%	1.07%	0.59%	0.93%	1.64%	1.32%	1.28%	1.48%	1.29%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IUSG and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, IUSG and VTI 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, IUSG or VTI?

IUSG has higher volatility (6.20%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSG dropped -63.41% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, IUSG or VTI?

On 10-year performance, IUSG leads with 17.63% vs 15.02% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IUSG or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, IUSG has performed better with a 17.63% return vs 15.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IUSG or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for IUSG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IUSG or VTI?

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.49% for IUSG.

What is the main difference between IUSG and VTI?

IUSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. IUSG tracks S&P 900 Growth Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for IUSG and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.69), 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.