VEXPX vs. VUG
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
VEXPX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 11, 1967. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
VEXPX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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VEXPX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares | -0.11% | 7.08% | 17.25% | 19.78% | -23.32% | 15.96% | 31.36% | 31.27% | -2.46% | 22.49% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | -9.39% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEXPX achieves a -0.11% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -9.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VEXPX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 12.03%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.
VEXPX
- 1D
- 3.79%
- 1M
- -5.78%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- 1.65%
- 1Y
- 17.03%
- 3Y*
- 11.98%
- 5Y*
- 4.26%
- 10Y*
- 12.03%
VUG
- 1D
- 1.09%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- -9.39%
- 6M
- -8.17%
- 1Y
- 18.52%
- 3Y*
- 21.59%
- 5Y*
- 11.67%
- 10Y*
- 16.16%
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VEXPX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VEXPX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VEXPX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
VEXPX
VUG
VEXPX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) 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.
| VEXPX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.79 | 0.82 | -0.03 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.25 | 1.32 | -0.07 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.19 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.20 | 1.19 | +0.02 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.02 | 4.15 | +0.87 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VEXPX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.79 | 0.82 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 | 0.53 | -0.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 | 0.76 | -0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.50 | 0.57 | -0.07 |
Correlation
The correlation between VEXPX and VUG is 0.86, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VEXPX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
VEXPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.39%, more than VUG's 0.45% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares | 7.39% | 7.38% | 12.59% | 0.79% | 5.09% | 16.00% | 6.64% | 4.97% | 10.95% | 11.46% | 4.49% | 10.71% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.45% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Drawdowns
VEXPX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEXPX drawdown since its inception was -57.40%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXPX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEXPX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.40% | -50.68% | -6.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.15% | -16.53% | +2.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.71% | -35.61% | +2.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.87% | -35.61% | -4.26% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.78% | -12.25% | +5.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.95% | -7.13% | -5.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.38% | 4.72% | -1.34% |
Volatility
VEXPX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) has a higher volatility of 7.50% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 7.12%. This indicates that VEXPX'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.
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Volatility by Period
| VEXPX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.50% | 7.12% | +0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.17% | 12.70% | +0.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.25% | 22.70% | -0.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.32% | 22.22% | -0.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.81% | 21.38% | +0.43% |