LGND vs. VGT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

LGND (Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) is a stock, while VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, LGND returned 9.39%/yr vs 24.67%/yr for VGT. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

LGND vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LGND achieves a 63.56% return, which is significantly higher than VGT's 22.94% return. Over the past 10 years, LGND has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 9.39%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.67% annualized return.

LGND

• 1D: -2.21%
• 1M: 21.02%
• 6M: 49.53%
• YTD: 63.56%
• 1Y: 154.11%
• 3Y*: 65.80%
• 5Y*: 21.22%
• 10Y*: 9.39%

VGT

• 1D: -2.12%
• 1M: -0.88%
• 6M: 21.06%
• YTD: 22.94%
• 1Y: 38.55%
• 3Y*: 28.00%
• 5Y*: 18.46%
• 10Y*: 24.67%

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

LGND vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LGND Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	63.56%	76.45%	50.03%	6.92%	-56.75%	55.31%	-4.64%	-23.15%	-0.90%	34.76%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	22.94%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between LGND and VGT is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.41

The correlation between LGND and VGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LGND vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

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

LGND

LGND Risk / Return Rank: 98
LGND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
LGND Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
LGND Omega Ratio Rank: 97
LGND Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
LGND Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 57
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

LGND vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

	LGND	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.15	1.66	+2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.34	2.17	+2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.28	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.02	2.36	+8.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.87	6.86	+21.01

LGND vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LGND Sharpe Ratio is 4.15, which is higher than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LGND and VGT, 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

LGND vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LGND drawdown since its inception was -93.34%, which is greater than VGT's maximum drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LGND and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	LGND	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.34%	-54.63%	-38.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.07%	-16.40%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.91%	-27.23%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-70.11%	-35.07%	-35.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-81.94%	-35.07%	-46.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.14%	-7.99%	+3.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.44%	-7.94%	-36.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.55%	5.63%	-0.08%

Volatility

LGND vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) at 9.66%. This indicates that LGND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LGND	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	9.66%	+2.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.67%	19.38%	+10.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.43%	23.37%	+14.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.17%	25.69%	+18.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	45.47%	24.80%	+20.67%

Dividends

LGND vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

LGND has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LGND Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.37%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LGND and VGT in my portfolio?

LGND and VGT have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LGND or VGT?

LGND has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to VGT (9.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LGND dropped -93.34% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LGND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.15 vs 1.66), 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.