QCGRIX vs. VONG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QCGRIX (CREF Growth Account Class R3) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. QCGRIX is actively managed, while VONG is passively managed. Over the past year, QCGRIX returned 21.05% vs 18.03% for VONG. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCGRIX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VONG.

Performance

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCGRIX achieves a 5.58% return, which is significantly higher than VONG's 1.56% return.

QCGRIX

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: -1.21%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 4.37%
• 1Y: 21.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VONG

• 1D: -1.57%
• 1M: -3.99%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 0.27%
• 1Y: 18.03%
• 3Y*: 21.88%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 18.39%

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

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCGRIX CREF Growth Account Class R3	5.58%	14.41%	0.00%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	1.56%	18.45%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between QCGRIX and VONG is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2024	0.94

The correlation between QCGRIX and VONG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QCGRIX vs. VONG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCGRIX

QCGRIX Risk / Return Rank: 21
QCGRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
QCGRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
QCGRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
QCGRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
QCGRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 29
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). 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.

	QCGRIX	VONG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.12	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	1.58	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.20	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	1.12	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	3.64	+0.79

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCGRIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the VONG Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCGRIX and VONG, 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

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCGRIX drawdown since its inception was -23.93%, smaller than the maximum VONG drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCGRIX and VONG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCGRIX	VONG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.93%	-32.72%	+8.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.69%	-16.23%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.27%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.03%	-6.82%	+2.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.93%	-4.88%	-0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	4.97%	+0.15%

Volatility

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Volatility Comparison

CREF Growth Account Class R3 (QCGRIX) has a higher volatility of 6.35% compared to Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) at 6.04%. This indicates that QCGRIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VONG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCGRIX	VONG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.35%	6.04%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.53%	12.59%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.52%	16.17%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.03%	21.45%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	20.92%	+0.11%

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCGRIX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VONG's 0.06% 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

QCGRIX vs. VONG - Dividend Comparison

QCGRIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCGRIX CREF Growth Account Class R3	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.47%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCGRIX and VONG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, QCGRIX and VONG 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, QCGRIX or VONG?

QCGRIX has higher volatility (6.35%) compared to VONG (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCGRIX dropped -23.93% vs VONG's -32.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCGRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.12), 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.