RTH vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RTH (VanEck Vectors Retail ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RTH is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 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 10 years, RTH returned 13.87%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RTH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

RTH vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) 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, RTH achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, RTH has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 13.87%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.

RTH

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -4.91%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 7.77%
• 3Y*: 16.09%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 13.87%

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

RTH vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	1.87%	12.36%	20.02%	20.07%	-17.67%	24.94%	31.62%	29.06%	3.87%	22.45%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between RTH and VUG is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between RTH and VUG has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RTH vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RTH	VUG
Consumer Cyclical	56.4%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	27.6%	1.5%
Healthcare	13.5%	4.6%
Industrials	2.5%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Communication Services	-	17.3%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	4.3%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Technology	-	53.5%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

RTH vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RTH

RTH Risk / Return Rank: 21
RTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
RTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
RTH Omega Ratio Rank: 18
RTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
RTH Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

RTH vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) 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.

	RTH	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	1.77	-1.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	2.40	-1.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.31	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	1.69	-0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.46	5.92	-2.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RTH vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RTH Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RTH 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

	RTH	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	1.77	-1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.68	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.85	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.62	-0.12

Drawdowns

RTH vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RTH drawdown since its inception was -42.32%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RTH and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RTH	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.32%	-50.68%	+8.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-16.53%	+8.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.80%	-22.85%	+9.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.00%	-35.61%	+10.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.00%	-35.61%	+10.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.85%	-1.51%	-4.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-7.09%	-0.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	4.71%	-2.45%

Volatility

RTH vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) have volatilities of 3.83% and 3.83%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RTH	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	3.83%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	12.11%	-2.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.07%	15.84%	-3.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	22.22%	-5.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	21.44%	-3.90%

RTH vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RTH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RTH vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

RTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	0.95%	0.97%	0.77%	1.07%	1.16%	0.78%	0.64%	0.91%	1.05%	1.56%	1.84%	2.25%
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 RTH and VUG in my portfolio?

RTH and VUG have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RTH or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to RTH (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RTH dropped -42.32% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, RTH or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.26% vs 13.87% for RTH. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RTH or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.26% return vs 13.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RTH or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RTH.

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

RTH has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between RTH and VUG?

RTH is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. RTH tracks MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RTH and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.65), 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.