VGIT vs. VUG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).

VGIT and VUG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VGIT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. 3-10 Year Government Float Adjusted Index. It was launched on Nov 19, 2009. 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. Both VGIT and VUG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VGIT vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VGIT vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF	-0.03%	7.34%	1.39%	4.28%	-10.53%	-2.64%	7.71%	6.19%	1.35%	1.70%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	-10.37%	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, VGIT achieves a -0.03% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -10.37% return. Over the past 10 years, VGIT has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 1.32%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.03% annualized return.

VGIT

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -1.66%
• YTD: -0.03%
• 6M: 1.07%
• 1Y: 4.13%
• 3Y*: 3.29%
• 5Y*: 0.32%
• 10Y*: 1.32%

VUG

• 1D: 4.00%
• 1M: -5.12%
• YTD: -10.37%
• 6M: -8.73%
• 1Y: 18.30%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: 16.03%

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

VGIT vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGIT has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG'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%.

VGIT

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF

VUG

Vanguard Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VGIT vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGIT

VGIT Risk / Return Rank: 64
VGIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VGIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VGIT Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VGIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VGIT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 50
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

VGIT vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) 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.

	VGIT	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	0.81	+0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	1.31	+0.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.18	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	1.11	+0.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.53	3.96	+1.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGIT vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGIT and VUG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGIT	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	0.81	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.52	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.75	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.57	-0.07

Correlation

The correlation between VGIT and VUG is -0.19. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Dividends

VGIT vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than VUG's 0.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF	3.81%	3.79%	3.67%	2.73%	1.74%	1.69%	2.23%	2.24%	2.05%	1.67%	1.69%	1.69%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.46%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Drawdowns

VGIT vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGIT	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.05%	-50.68%	+34.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.42%	-16.53%	+14.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.02%	-35.61%	+20.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.05%	-35.61%	+19.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.97%	-13.20%	+11.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.54%	-7.13%	+3.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	4.66%	-3.88%

Volatility

VGIT vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is 1.33%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.00%. This indicates that VGIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGIT	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	7.00%	-5.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.28%	12.65%	-10.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.81%	22.68%	-18.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.36%	22.23%	-16.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.50%	21.38%	-16.88%