VDC vs. VONG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDC returned 7.63%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for VONG. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VDC charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VONG.

Performance

VDC vs. VONG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDC achieves a 7.19% return, which is significantly higher than VONG's 4.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VDC has underperformed VONG with an annualized return of 7.63%, while VONG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.32% annualized return.

VDC

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -2.19%
• YTD: 7.19%
• 6M: 7.44%
• 1Y: 4.07%
• 3Y*: 8.08%
• 5Y*: 6.63%
• 10Y*: 7.63%

VONG

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 18.32%

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

VDC vs. VONG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	7.19%	2.17%	13.30%	2.38%	-1.79%	17.64%	10.86%	26.11%	-7.79%	11.85%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	4.12%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VDC and VONG is -0.14, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.53

The correlation between VDC and VONG shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (1 year) to 0.53 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VDC vs. VONG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDC	VONG
Consumer Defensive	97.5%	2.7%
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	13.2%
Industrials	0.3%	5.7%
Basic Materials	0.3%	0.3%
Healthcare	0.0%	7.1%
Communication Services	-	13.2%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	5.3%
Real Estate	-	0.4%
Technology	-	51.4%
Utilities	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

VDC vs. VONG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDC

VDC Risk / Return Rank: 14
VDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
VDC Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VDC Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

VDC vs. VONG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). 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.

	VDC	VONG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.33	1.36	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.56	1.87	-1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.24	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.44	1.31	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.90	4.39	-3.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VDC vs. VONG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDC Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is lower than the VONG Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDC and VONG, 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

	VDC	VONG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33	1.36	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.69	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.88	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.89	-0.22

Drawdowns

VDC vs. VONG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDC drawdown since its inception was -34.24%, roughly equal to the maximum VONG drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDC and VONG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDC	VONG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.24%	-32.72%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-16.23%	+6.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.78%	-23.27%	+11.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.55%	-32.72%	+16.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.31%	-32.72%	+7.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.27%	-4.47%	-2.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.73%	-4.88%	+1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	4.85%	-0.32%

Volatility

VDC vs. VONG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) is 4.47%, while Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a volatility of 4.78%. This indicates that VDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VONG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDC	VONG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	4.78%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.87%	12.08%	-2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.43%	15.71%	-3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.15%	21.38%	-8.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.65%	20.90%	-6.25%

VDC vs. VONG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDC has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VONG's 0.06% 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

VDC vs. VONG - Dividend Comparison

VDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, more than VONG's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF	2.14%	2.26%	2.33%	2.65%	2.37%	2.14%	2.50%	2.44%	2.78%	2.52%	2.39%	2.55%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDC and VONG in my portfolio?

VDC and VONG have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDC or VONG?

VONG has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to VDC (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDC dropped -34.24% vs VONG's -32.72%.

Which ETF is better, VDC or VONG?

On 10-year performance, VONG leads with 18.32% vs 7.63% for VDC. On fees, VONG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VDC has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDC or VONG?

Over the 10-year period, VONG has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 7.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDC or VONG?

VONG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VDC or VONG?

VDC has the higher dividend yield at 2.14%, compared with 0.44% for VONG.

What is the main difference between VDC and VONG?

VDC is categorized as Consumer Staples Equities, while VONG is Large Cap Growth Equities. VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index, while VONG tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDC and 0.06% for VONG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VONG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 0.33), 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.