LLY vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

LLY (Eli Lilly and Company) 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, LLY returned 33.71%/yr vs 17.95%/yr for VUG. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

LLY vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) 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, LLY achieves a 7.29% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 6.14% return. Over the past 10 years, LLY has outperformed VUG with an annualized return of 33.71%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively lower 17.95% annualized return.

LLY

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: 21.37%
• YTD: 7.29%
• 6M: 15.58%
• 1Y: 50.32%
• 3Y*: 38.07%
• 5Y*: 39.75%
• 10Y*: 33.71%

VUG

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: 6.14%
• 6M: 5.11%
• 1Y: 23.11%
• 3Y*: 24.71%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 17.95%

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

LLY vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LLY Eli Lilly and Company	7.29%	40.25%	33.30%	60.91%	34.26%	66.08%	31.04%	16.14%	40.45%	17.83%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	6.14%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between LLY and VUG is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between LLY and VUG has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LLY vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

LLY

LLY Risk / Return Rank: 77
LLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
LLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
LLY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
LLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
LLY Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 40
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

LLY vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) 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.

	LLY	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.43	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	1.95	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.25	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	1.40	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	4.90	+0.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LLY vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LLY Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LLY 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

	LLY	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	1.43	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.23	0.65	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.12	0.84	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.61	-0.03

Drawdowns

LLY vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LLY drawdown since its inception was -68.24%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LLY and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	LLY	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.24%	-50.68%	-17.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.64%	-16.53%	-7.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.48%	-22.85%	-11.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.48%	-35.61%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.48%	-35.61%	+1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.52%	+4.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.22%	-7.09%	-12.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.49%	4.73%	+4.76%

Volatility

LLY vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) has a higher volatility of 9.55% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.17%. This indicates that LLY'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

	LLY	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.55%	5.17%	+4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.05%	12.68%	+14.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.16%	16.25%	+21.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.54%	22.28%	+10.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.18%	21.48%	+8.70%

Dividends

LLY vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

LLY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, more than VUG's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LLY Eli Lilly and Company	0.56%	0.56%	0.67%	0.78%	1.07%	1.23%	1.75%	1.96%	1.94%	2.46%	2.77%	2.37%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.38%	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 LLY and VUG in my portfolio?

LLY and VUG have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LLY or VUG?

LLY has higher volatility (9.55%) compared to VUG (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LLY dropped -68.24% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.33), 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.