RKLB vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) is a stock, while VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 3 years, RKLB returned 179.23%/yr vs 16.04%/yr for VIG. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RKLB vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RKLB achieves a 62.92% return, which is significantly higher than VIG's 6.58% return.

RKLB

• 1D: 3.24%
• 1M: 7.76%
• YTD: 62.92%
• 6M: 120.42%
• 1Y: 292.98%
• 3Y*: 179.23%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VIG

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 6.58%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 18.31%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: 13.05%

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

RKLB vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	62.92%	173.89%	360.58%	46.68%	-69.30%	8.67%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	6.58%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	6.75%

Correlation

The correlation between RKLB and VIG is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2021	0.41

Return for Risk

RKLB vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RKLB

RKLB Risk / Return Rank: 93
RKLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
RKLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
RKLB Omega Ratio Rank: 88
RKLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RKLB Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 58
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

RKLB vs. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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.

	RKLB	VIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.20	1.82	+1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.65	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.33	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.86	2.33	+4.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.94	9.37	+6.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RKLB vs. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RKLB Sharpe Ratio is 3.20, which is higher than the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RKLB and VIG, 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

	RKLB	VIG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20	1.82	+1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.60	+0.16

Drawdowns

RKLB vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RKLB drawdown since its inception was -82.96%, which is greater than VIG's maximum drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RKLB and VIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RKLB	VIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.96%	-46.81%	-36.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.01%	-7.91%	-35.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-55.49%	-14.95%	-40.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.39%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.35%	-1.34%	-23.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.40%	-5.51%	-45.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.48%	1.96%	+16.52%

Volatility

RKLB vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has a higher volatility of 41.86% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) at 2.42%. This indicates that RKLB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RKLB	VIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	41.86%	2.42%	+39.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	72.23%	7.68%	+64.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	92.32%	10.10%	+82.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	81.48%	14.24%	+67.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.48%	16.06%	+65.42%

Dividends

RKLB vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

RKLB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.48%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RKLB and VIG in my portfolio?

RKLB and VIG have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RKLB or VIG?

RKLB has higher volatility (41.86%) compared to VIG (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RKLB dropped -82.96% vs VIG's -46.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 1.82), 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.