VGK vs. VUG

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).

VGK and VUG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VGK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE Developed Europe Index. It was launched on Mar 4, 2005. 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 VGK 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

VGK vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

VGK vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	0.48%	35.83%	1.88%	20.19%	-15.98%	16.89%	5.43%	24.85%	-14.89%	26.98%
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, VGK achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -9.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VGK has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 9.12%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.

VGK

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: -4.82%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 5.06%
• 1Y: 22.57%
• 3Y*: 14.84%
• 5Y*: 8.99%
• 10Y*: 9.12%

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%

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

VGK vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGK has a 0.08% 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%.

VGK

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF

VUG

Vanguard Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VGK vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGK

VGK Risk / Return Rank: 70
VGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VGK Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VGK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 44
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

VGK vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) 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.

	VGK	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	0.82	+0.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	1.32	+0.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.19	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	1.19	+0.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.22	4.15	+3.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGK vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGK Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGK 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

	VGK	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	0.82	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.53	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.76	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.57	-0.31

Correlation

The correlation between VGK and VUG is 0.73, 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

VGK vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VGK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.96%, more than VUG's 0.45% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	2.96%	2.86%	3.61%	3.15%	3.25%	3.05%	2.11%	3.27%	3.95%	2.70%	3.52%	3.25%
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

VGK vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGK drawdown since its inception was -63.61%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGK and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGK	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.61%	-50.68%	-12.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-16.53%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.74%	-35.61%	+2.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.24%	-35.61%	-1.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.16%	-12.25%	+5.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.43%	-7.13%	-6.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	4.72%	-1.55%

Volatility

VGK vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) have volatilities of 7.33% and 7.12%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGK	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.33%	7.12%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.03%	12.70%	-1.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.63%	22.70%	-5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.72%	22.22%	-4.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.88%	21.38%	-2.50%