SXQG vs. VUG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SXQG (ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SXQG is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by Meridian, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. SXQG is actively managed, while VUG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SXQG returned 4.34%/yr vs 12.16%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SXQG charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

SXQG vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) 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, SXQG achieves a -2.00% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.02% return.

SXQG

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 0.16%
• YTD: -2.00%
• 1Y: 0.85%
• 3Y*: 9.57%
• 5Y*: 4.34%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.71%

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)
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF	$62.10K	$170.59K	$108.05K
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$556.11M	$661.72M	$650.91M

SXQG vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF	-2.00%	4.43%	18.77%	28.32%	-23.93%	12.62%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.02%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	21.38%

Correlation

The correlation between SXQG and VUG is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2021	0.88

The correlation between SXQG and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SXQG vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SXQG	VUG
Technology	29.3%	56.2%
Healthcare	17.5%	4.7%
Communication Services	14.9%	15.4%
Financial Services	12.7%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	11.9%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	11.5%
Industrials	5.7%	5.3%
Energy	0.7%	0.3%
Basic Materials	0.2%	0.5%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

SXQG vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SXQG

SXQG Risk / Return Rank: 10
SXQG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
SXQG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
SXQG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
SXQG Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
SXQG Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

SXQG vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) 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.

	SXQG	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	0.72	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.04	1.10	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.13	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.03	0.78	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.08	2.47	-2.54

SXQG vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SXQG Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SXQG 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.

Drawdowns

SXQG vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SXQG drawdown since its inception was -33.97%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SXQG and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SXQG	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.97%	-50.68%	+16.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.03%	-16.53%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.53%	-22.85%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.97%	-35.61%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.87%	-5.53%	+0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.99%	-7.08%	-2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.49%	5.20%	+0.29%

Volatility

SXQG vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF (SXQG) is 3.80%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 5.58%. This indicates that SXQG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SXQG	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.80%	5.58%	-1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.12%	14.24%	-4.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.38%	17.74%	-5.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.08%	22.49%	-4.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	21.55%	-3.68%

SXQG vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SXQG vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

SXQG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than VUG's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SXQG ETC 6 Meridian Quality Growth ETF	0.01%	0.15%	0.00%	0.02%	0.09%	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 SXQG and VUG in my portfolio?

SXQG and VUG have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SXQG or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to SXQG (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SXQG dropped -33.97% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, SXQG or VUG?

On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 12.16% vs 4.34% for SXQG. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SXQG has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SXQG or VUG?

Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 12.16% return vs 4.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SXQG or VUG?

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

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

VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.01% for SXQG.

What is the main difference between SXQG and VUG?

SXQG is categorized as Quality Factor, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Meridian and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for SXQG and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs -0.03), 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.