VDIGX vs. NOBL

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) and NOBL (ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF) are both Dividend funds. VDIGX is actively managed, while NOBL is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDIGX returned 12.20%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for NOBL. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VDIGX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for NOBL.

Performance

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) and ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDIGX achieves a 5.63% return, which is significantly lower than NOBL's 12.94% return. Over the past 10 years, VDIGX has outperformed NOBL with an annualized return of 12.20%, while NOBL has yielded a comparatively lower 9.99% annualized return.

VDIGX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 0.16%
• 6M: 4.68%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 1Y: 11.26%
• 3Y*: 14.29%
• 5Y*: 9.72%
• 10Y*: 12.20%
• ALL TIME*: 9.36%

NOBL

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 0.78%
• 6M: 5.71%
• YTD: 12.94%
• 1Y: 16.34%
• 3Y*: 9.22%
• 5Y*: 6.92%
• 10Y*: 9.99%
• ALL TIME*: 10.85%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NOBL ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF	$71.96M	$68.15M	$62.59M
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	5.63%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%
NOBL ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF	12.94%	6.84%	6.72%	8.09%	-6.52%	25.46%	8.35%	27.39%	-3.26%	21.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VDIGX and NOBL is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2013	0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between VDIGX and NOBL has dropped to 0.69 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDIGX	NOBL
Technology	25.6%	4.3%
Financial Services	20.1%	13.2%
Healthcare	16.1%	10.8%
Industrials	12.9%	20.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	5.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	23.3%
Basic Materials	2.6%	9.4%
Communication Services	2.3%	-
Energy	1.1%	2.9%
Utilities	0.5%	5.7%
Real Estate	-	4.6%

Return for Risk

VDIGX vs. NOBL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VDIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

NOBL

NOBL Risk / Return Rank: 46
NOBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
NOBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
NOBL Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NOBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NOBL Martin Ratio Rank: 39

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) and ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL). 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.

	VDIGX	NOBL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.38	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	2.10	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.24	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	1.80	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.50	4.56	+0.94

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDIGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the NOBL Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDIGX and NOBL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDIGX drawdown since its inception was -45.23%, which is greater than NOBL's maximum drawdown of -35.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDIGX and NOBL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDIGX	NOBL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.23%	-35.43%	-9.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-9.11%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.23%	-15.36%	+5.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.18%	-17.92%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.98%	-35.43%	+2.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.46%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.62%	-3.46%	-3.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	3.59%	-1.30%

Volatility

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) is 2.64%, while ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) has a volatility of 4.83%. This indicates that VDIGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NOBL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDIGX	NOBL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	4.83%	-2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.91%	9.18%	-1.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.21%	11.96%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.86%	14.48%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.68%	16.64%	-0.96%

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDIGX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than NOBL's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDIGX vs. NOBL - Dividend Comparison

VDIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.24%, more than NOBL's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOBL ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF	2.00%	2.14%	2.05%	2.09%	1.94%	1.89%	2.14%	1.89%	2.37%	1.74%	2.13%	2.02%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	23.24%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDIGX and NOBL in my portfolio?

VDIGX and NOBL 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, VDIGX or NOBL?

NOBL has higher volatility (4.83%) compared to VDIGX (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDIGX dropped -45.23% vs NOBL's -35.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NOBL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.24), 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.