VCR vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VCR (Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCR is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 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, VCR returned 13.55%/yr vs 18.40%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCR charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

VCR vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) 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, VCR achieves a 0.01% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 10.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VCR has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 13.55%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.40% annualized return.

VCR

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -0.28%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 11.24%
• 3Y*: 15.28%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 13.55%

VUG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 7.37%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 15.71%
• 10Y*: 18.40%

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

VCR vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.01%	5.77%	24.27%	40.38%	-35.15%	24.86%	48.36%	27.45%	-2.31%	22.82%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	10.86%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VCR and VUG is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.86

The correlation between VCR and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCR vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCR

VCR Risk / Return Rank: 19
VCR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VCR Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VCR Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VCR Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VCR Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 49
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

VCR vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) 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.

	VCR	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	1.93	-1.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	2.60	-1.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.34	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	1.90	-1.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.28	6.65	-4.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCR vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCR Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCR 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

	VCR	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61	1.93	-1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.71	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.86	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.62	-0.11

Drawdowns

VCR vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCR drawdown since its inception was -61.54%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCR and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCR	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.54%	-50.68%	-10.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.59%	-16.53%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.36%	-22.85%	-4.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.20%	-35.61%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.20%	-35.61%	-3.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.54%	-0.28%	-4.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.40%	-7.09%	-2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.96%	4.71%	+0.25%

Volatility

VCR vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) has a higher volatility of 5.22% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.52%. This indicates that VCR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCR	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.22%	3.52%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.06%	12.05%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.46%	15.80%	+2.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.99%	22.22%	+1.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.41%	21.44%	+0.97%

VCR vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCR has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG'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

VCR vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VCR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCR Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF	0.73%	0.74%	0.74%	0.84%	0.98%	0.79%	1.71%	1.17%	1.37%	1.21%	1.60%	1.32%
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 VCR and VUG in my portfolio?

VCR and VUG have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCR or VUG?

VCR has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to VUG (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCR dropped -61.54% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, VCR or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.40% vs 13.55% for VCR. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VCR or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.40% return vs 13.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCR or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VCR.

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

VCR has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between VCR and VUG?

VCR is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. VCR tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VCR and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.61), 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.