RONB vs. VUG

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RONB (Baron First Principles ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. RONB is actively managed, while VUG is passively managed. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RONB charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

RONB vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baron First Principles ETF (RONB) 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, RONB achieves a -16.11% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.02% return.

RONB

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: -13.77%
• 6M: -13.27%
• YTD: -16.11%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

VUG

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -0.35%
• 6M: 6.39%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 1Y: 15.36%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 17.38%
• ALL TIME*: 12.08%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RONB Baron First Principles ETF	$5.12M	$7.20M	$22.20M
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$556.11M	$661.72M	$650.91M

RONB vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RONB Baron First Principles ETF	-16.11%	-0.76%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.02%	0.64%

Correlation

The correlation between RONB and VUG is 0.54, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2025	0.54

Return for Risk

RONB vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RONB

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RONB vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baron First Principles ETF (RONB) 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.

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.

	RONB	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.72	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.10	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.13	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.78	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.47	—

Drawdowns

RONB vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RONB drawdown since its inception was -19.37%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RONB and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RONB	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.37%	-50.68%	+31.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-16.53%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.85%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.37%	-5.53%	-13.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.20%	-7.08%	-0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.20%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RONB	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.58%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	14.24%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.04%	17.74%	+3.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.04%	22.49%	-1.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.04%	21.55%	-0.51%

RONB vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RONB has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RONB vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

RONB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RONB Baron First Principles ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.40%	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 RONB and VUG in my portfolio?

RONB and VUG have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RONB or VUG?

On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RONB or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for RONB.

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

VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.00% for RONB.

What is the main difference between RONB and VUG?

They also come from different issuers: Baron Capital and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for RONB and 0.03% for VUG.