SAND vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SAND (Sandstorm Gold Ltd.) is a stock, while VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SAND vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (SAND) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SAND

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

SAND vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAND Sandstorm Gold Ltd.	0.00%	118.72%	12.15%	-3.32%	-14.29%	-13.53%	-3.76%	61.61%	-7.62%	27.95%
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 SAND and VUG is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2009	0.14

The correlation between SAND and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (1 year) to 0.16 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAND vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

SAND vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (SAND) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SAND	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.62	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	SAND	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-50.68%	—
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	—	-1.51%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-7.09%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.71%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SAND	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.83%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.11%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	15.84%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	22.22%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	21.44%	—

Dividends

SAND vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

SAND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAND Sandstorm Gold Ltd.	0.24%	0.47%	1.06%	1.19%	1.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 SAND and VUG in my portfolio?

SAND and VUG have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.