VASGX vs. QQQ
VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - VASGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. VASGX is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VASGX returned 10.52%/yr vs 21.19%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VASGX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.
Performance
VASGX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VASGX achieves a 10.13% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.13% return. Over the past 10 years, VASGX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 10.52%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.19% annualized return.
VASGX
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- 0.86%
- 6M
- 7.44%
- YTD
- 10.13%
- 1Y
- 20.25%
- 3Y*
- 16.78%
- 5Y*
- 8.61%
- 10Y*
- 10.52%
QQQ
- 1D
- -1.90%
- 1M
- -1.22%
- 6M
- 13.75%
- YTD
- 16.13%
- 1Y
- 29.05%
- 3Y*
- 24.08%
- 5Y*
- 15.10%
- 10Y*
- 21.19%
VASGX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund | 10.13% | 19.65% | 12.95% | 18.76% | -17.21% | 14.35% | 15.45% | 23.14% | -6.89% | 19.21% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 16.13% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between VASGX and QQQ is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999 | 0.81 |
The correlation between VASGX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VASGX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
VASGX
QQQ
VASGX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.
| VASGX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.28 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.42 | 2.44 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.27 | 8.74 | +1.54 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VASGX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VASGX drawdown since its inception was -51.16%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VASGX and QQQ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VASGX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.16% | -82.97% | +31.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.17% | -11.96% | +3.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.89% | -22.77% | +9.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.43% | -35.12% | +10.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.53% | -35.12% | +6.59% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.66% | -4.51% | +3.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.23% | -32.67% | +25.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.92% | 3.33% | -1.41% |
Volatility
VASGX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) is 4.07%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.69%. This indicates that VASGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VASGX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.07% | 8.69% | -4.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.33% | 15.40% | -6.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.12% | 18.61% | -7.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.90% | 22.80% | -9.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.44% | 22.44% | -9.00% |
VASGX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VASGX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VASGX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
VASGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.43% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund | 3.70% | 4.09% | 6.15% | 3.00% | 2.10% | 3.54% | 3.54% | 2.34% | 4.36% | 2.13% | 2.23% | 4.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VASGX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (8.69%) compared to VASGX (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VASGX dropped -51.16% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
VASGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.57), 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.
Find the right allocation for VASGX and QQQ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer