VFTNX vs. VONG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFTNX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard - VFTNX tracks the FTSE4Good US Select Index while VONG tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX returned 16.22%/yr vs 18.61%/yr for VONG. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFTNX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VONG.

Performance

VFTNX vs. VONG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) 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, VFTNX achieves a 11.69% return, which is significantly higher than VONG's 7.17% return. Over the past 10 years, VFTNX has underperformed VONG with an annualized return of 16.22%, while VONG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.61% annualized return.

VFTNX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 7.29%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 29.37%
• 3Y*: 23.29%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 16.22%

VONG

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.17%
• 6M: 6.52%
• 1Y: 25.74%
• 3Y*: 24.92%
• 5Y*: 15.38%
• 10Y*: 18.61%

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

VFTNX vs. VONG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.69%	17.32%	26.01%	31.77%	-24.20%	27.76%	22.62%	33.96%	-3.41%	24.19%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.17%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTNX and VONG is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.95

The correlation between VFTNX and VONG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFTNX vs. VONG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFTNX	VONG
Technology	41.6%	51.4%
Communication Services	14.1%	13.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	13.2%
Financial Services	11.5%	5.3%
Healthcare	9.5%	7.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	2.7%
Industrials	3.3%	5.7%
Real Estate	2.2%	0.4%
Basic Materials	1.6%	0.3%
Utilities	0.1%	0.3%
Energy	0.0%	0.4%

Return for Risk

VFTNX vs. VONG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFTNX

VFTNX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VFTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VFTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VFTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 41
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

VFTNX vs. VONG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) 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.

	VFTNX	VONG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.68	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	2.29	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.29	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	1.59	+0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	5.34	+5.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFTNX vs. VONG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the VONG Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTNX 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

	VFTNX	VONG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.68	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.72	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.89	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.90	-0.52

Drawdowns

VFTNX vs. VONG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTNX drawdown since its inception was -64.04%, which is greater than VONG's maximum drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTNX and VONG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTNX	VONG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.04%	-32.72%	-31.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.83%	-16.23%	+4.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-23.27%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.11%	-32.72%	+3.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.22%	-32.72%	-1.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.66%	+1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-4.88%	-10.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	4.83%	-2.05%

Volatility

VFTNX vs. VONG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFTNX) is 3.26%, while Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a volatility of 3.60%. This indicates that VFTNX 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

	VFTNX	VONG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	3.60%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	11.61%	-1.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	15.37%	-2.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.36%	21.33%	-2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.07%	20.87%	-1.80%

VFTNX vs. VONG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTNX has a 0.12% 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

VFTNX vs. VONG - Dividend Comparison

VFTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, more than VONG's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFTNX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.84%	0.90%	1.01%	1.12%	1.37%	0.95%	1.23%	1.46%	1.81%	1.49%	1.82%	1.60%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.43%	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 VFTNX and VONG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VFTNX and VONG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VFTNX or VONG?

VONG has higher volatility (3.60%) compared to VFTNX (3.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTNX dropped -64.04% vs VONG's -32.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.68), 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.