PRNT vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRNT (ARK The 3D Printing ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PRNT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Total 3D-Printing Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PRNT returned -7.15%/yr vs 15.71%/yr for VUG. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRNT charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

PRNT vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARK The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) 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, PRNT achieves a 16.74% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 10.86% return.

PRNT

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 12.63%
• YTD: 16.74%
• 6M: 17.94%
• 1Y: 25.74%
• 3Y*: 5.18%
• 5Y*: -7.15%
• 10Y*: —

VUG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.37%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

PRNT vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRNT ARK The 3D Printing ETF	16.74%	6.70%	-8.72%	13.37%	-40.26%	8.99%	40.18%	13.06%	-17.81%	18.03%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	10.86%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between PRNT and VUG is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 20, 2016	0.69

The correlation between PRNT and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PRNT vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PRNT	VUG
Technology	50.3%	53.5%
Industrials	27.4%	3.6%
Healthcare	13.8%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	12.2%
Basic Materials	3.0%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	1.5%
Communication Services	-	17.3%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	4.3%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

PRNT vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRNT

PRNT Risk / Return Rank: 31
PRNT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
PRNT Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
PRNT Omega Ratio Rank: 31
PRNT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
PRNT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

PRNT vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARK The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) 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.

	PRNT	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.93	-0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	2.60	-0.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.34	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	1.90	-0.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.34	6.65	-2.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRNT vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRNT Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRNT 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

	PRNT	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.93	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.28	0.71	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.62	-0.50

Drawdowns

PRNT vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRNT drawdown since its inception was -66.10%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRNT and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRNT	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.10%	-50.68%	-15.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-16.53%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.00%	-22.85%	-9.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.91%	-35.61%	-22.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-47.12%	-0.28%	-46.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.96%	-7.09%	-24.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.79%	4.71%	+1.08%

Volatility

PRNT vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

ARK The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) has a higher volatility of 7.22% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.52%. This indicates that PRNT'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

	PRNT	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.22%	3.52%	+3.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.73%	12.05%	+4.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.03%	15.80%	+6.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.04%	22.22%	+3.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.73%	21.44%	+5.29%

PRNT vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRNT has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRNT vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

PRNT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRNT ARK The 3D Printing ETF	0.67%	0.78%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.07%	0.80%	2.16%	0.01%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	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 PRNT and VUG in my portfolio?

PRNT and VUG have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRNT or VUG?

PRNT has higher volatility (7.22%) compared to VUG (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRNT dropped -66.10% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, PRNT or VUG?

On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 15.71% vs -7.15% for PRNT. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PRNT or VUG?

Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 15.71% return vs -7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PRNT or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for PRNT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PRNT or VUG?

PRNT has the higher dividend yield at 0.67%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between PRNT and VUG?

PRNT is categorized as Technology Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. PRNT tracks Total 3D-Printing Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: ARK and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for PRNT and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.17), 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.