VDGR.AX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VDGR.AX (Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDGR.AX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Growth Composite Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDGR.AX returned 7.10%/yr vs 15.79%/yr for VOO. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VDGR.AX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VDGR.AX is traded in AUD, while VOO is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VOO values have been converted to AUD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDGR.AX achieves a 3.36% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 3.82% return.

VDGR.AX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 2.92%
• YTD: 3.36%
• 6M: 4.23%
• 1Y: 11.94%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 7.10%
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 5.60%
• YTD: 3.82%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: 16.13%
• 3Y*: 19.37%
• 5Y*: 15.79%
• 10Y*: 15.95%

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

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.36%	11.12%	14.15%	12.94%	-10.19%	12.28%	7.09%	19.35%	-0.78%	1.14%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	3.82%	9.27%	37.55%	26.42%	-12.77%	36.35%	7.93%	31.98%	5.74%	0.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VDGR.AX and VOO is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2017	0.08

The correlation between VDGR.AX and VOO shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.08 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VDGR.AX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDGR.AX

VDGR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 44
VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VDGR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VDGR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VDGR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VDGR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) 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.

	VDGR.AX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.62	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.25	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	1.43	+0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	4.05	+3.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDGR.AX and VOO, 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

	VDGR.AX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.62	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	1.09	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	1.11	-0.30

Drawdowns

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDGR.AX drawdown since its inception was -23.90%, roughly equal to the maximum VOO drawdown of -24.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDGR.AX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDGR.AX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.90%	-24.78%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.99%	-11.29%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.00%	-17.50%	+7.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.79%	-21.45%	+5.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.24%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.33%	-3.73%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	3.99%	-2.39%

Volatility

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 1.94%. This indicates that VDGR.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDGR.AX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	1.94%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.22%	7.52%	-1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.67%	10.07%	-2.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.93%	14.51%	-5.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.65%	16.29%	-6.64%

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDGR.AX has a 0.27% 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

VDGR.AX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

VDGR.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than VOO's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.17%	3.04%	2.57%	2.36%	3.91%	8.07%	5.20%	2.91%	2.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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

Can I hold both VDGR.AX and VOO in my portfolio?

VDGR.AX and VOO have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VDGR.AX or VOO?

On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDGR.AX or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for VDGR.AX.

What is the main difference between VDGR.AX and VOO?

VDGR.AX is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while VOO is S&P 500. VDGR.AX tracks Growth Composite Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for VDGR.AX and 0.03% for VOO.