VGIT vs. VUG
VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGIT returned 1.23%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VGIT vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGIT achieves a -0.46% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VGIT has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 1.23%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- -0.16%
- YTD
- -0.46%
- 6M
- -0.60%
- 1Y
- 3.54%
- 3Y*
- 3.40%
- 5Y*
- 0.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.23%
VUG
- 1D
- -1.23%
- 1M
- 6.22%
- YTD
- 9.49%
- 6M
- 8.72%
- 1Y
- 27.84%
- 3Y*
- 25.93%
- 5Y*
- 15.11%
- 10Y*
- 18.26%
VGIT vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.46% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -10.53% | -2.64% | 7.71% | 6.19% | 1.35% | 1.70% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 9.49% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGIT and VUG is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | -0.18 |
The correlation between VGIT and VUG shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (all time) to 0.14 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGIT vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
VGIT
VUG
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.72 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.31 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.25 | 1.69 | -0.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.75 | 5.92 | -2.17 |
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
| VGIT | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.05 | 1.77 | -0.72 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 | 0.68 | -0.67 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 | 0.85 | -0.58 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.62 | -0.12 |
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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGIT | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.05% | -50.68% | +34.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.83% | -16.53% | +13.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.34% | -22.85% | +18.51% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.39% | -1.51% | -0.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.52% | -7.09% | +3.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.94% | 4.71% | -3.77% |
Volatility
VGIT vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is 1.05%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 3.83%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VGIT | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 3.83% | -2.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.33% | 12.11% | -9.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.38% | 15.84% | -12.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.38% | 22.22% | -16.84% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.50% | 21.44% | -16.94% |
VGIT vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VGIT and VUG have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VGIT vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 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 | 0.37% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGIT and VUG have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to VGIT (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.26% vs 1.23% for VGIT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.26% return vs 1.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGIT and VUG have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.87%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.
VGIT is categorized as Government Bonds, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.05), 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.
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