VASGX vs. VOO
VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VASGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. VASGX is actively managed, while VOO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VASGX returned 10.80%/yr vs 15.77%/yr for VOO. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VASGX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.
Performance
VASGX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VASGX achieves a 10.37% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 9.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VASGX has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 10.80%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.77% annualized return.
VASGX
- 1D
- 1.03%
- 1M
- 1.62%
- YTD
- 10.37%
- 6M
- 10.24%
- 1Y
- 24.85%
- 3Y*
- 16.74%
- 5Y*
- 9.20%
- 10Y*
- 10.80%
VOO
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- YTD
- 9.75%
- 6M
- 9.30%
- 1Y
- 26.77%
- 3Y*
- 21.36%
- 5Y*
- 13.58%
- 10Y*
- 15.77%
VASGX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund | 10.37% | 19.65% | 12.95% | 18.76% | -17.21% | 14.35% | 15.45% | 23.14% | -6.89% | 19.21% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 9.75% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between VASGX and VOO is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VASGX and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VASGX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
VASGX
VOO
VASGX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.39 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.00 | 3.02 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.96 | 13.58 | -0.62 |
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Drawdowns
VASGX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VASGX drawdown since its inception was -51.16%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VASGX and VOO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VASGX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.16% | -33.99% | -17.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.17% | -8.90% | +0.73% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.89% | -18.69% | +5.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.43% | -24.52% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.53% | -33.99% | +5.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.44% | -1.74% | +1.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.24% | -3.68% | -3.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.89% | 1.98% | -0.09% |
Volatility
VASGX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) have volatilities of 4.47% and 4.60%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VASGX | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.47% | 4.60% | -0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.14% | 9.73% | -0.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.99% | 12.39% | -1.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.88% | 16.90% | -4.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.53% | 18.05% | -4.52% |
VASGX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VASGX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. VOO - Dividend Comparison
VASGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, more than VOO's 1.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund | 3.71% | 4.09% | 6.15% | 3.00% | 2.10% | 3.54% | 3.54% | 2.34% | 4.36% | 2.13% | 2.23% | 4.54% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.04% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, VASGX and VOO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VOO has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to VASGX (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VASGX dropped -51.16% vs VOO's -33.99%.
VASGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.17), 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.
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