VIG vs. WGROX

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) and WGROX (Wasatch Core Growth Fund) are both funds - VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while WGROX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Wasatch. Over the past 10 years, VIG returned 12.84%/yr vs 10.61%/yr for WGROX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIG charges 0.04%/yr vs 1.17%/yr for WGROX.

Performance

VIG vs. WGROX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIG achieves a 8.70% return, which is significantly higher than WGROX's 4.34% return. Over the past 10 years, VIG has outperformed WGROX with an annualized return of 12.84%, while WGROX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.61% annualized return.

VIG

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: 7.68%
• YTD: 8.70%
• 1Y: 16.82%
• 3Y*: 14.67%
• 5Y*: 10.48%
• 10Y*: 12.84%
• ALL TIME*: 10.19%

WGROX

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: -0.64%
• 6M: -0.58%
• YTD: 4.34%
• 1Y: -1.69%
• 3Y*: 5.90%
• 5Y*: 0.55%
• 10Y*: 10.61%
• ALL TIME*: 11.05%

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

VIG vs. WGROX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	8.70%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%
WGROX Wasatch Core Growth Fund	4.34%	-10.37%	13.13%	33.43%	-30.86%	20.76%	36.73%	33.31%	-3.75%	24.29%

Correlation

The correlation between VIG and WGROX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2006	0.82

The correlation between VIG and WGROX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VIG vs. WGROX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 67
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 66

WGROX

WGROX Risk / Return Rank: 3
WGROX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
WGROX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

VIG vs. WGROX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VIG	WGROX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	-0.12	+1.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	-0.03	+2.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.00	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	-0.15	+2.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.62	-0.38	+9.00

VIG vs. WGROX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIG Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the WGROX Sharpe Ratio of -0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIG and WGROX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VIG vs. WGROX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIG drawdown since its inception was -46.81%, smaller than the maximum WGROX drawdown of -61.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIG and WGROX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIG	WGROX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.81%	-61.61%	+14.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.91%	-15.58%	+7.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-27.61%	+12.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.39%	-40.16%	+19.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.72%	-40.16%	+8.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-15.36%	+14.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.48%	-9.91%	+4.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	6.14%	-4.19%

Volatility

VIG vs. WGROX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is 2.11%, while Wasatch Core Growth Fund (WGROX) has a volatility of 5.72%. This indicates that VIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WGROX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIG	WGROX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.11%	5.72%	-3.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.68%	14.67%	-6.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.02%	19.65%	-9.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.19%	23.09%	-8.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.02%	23.32%	-7.30%

VIG vs. WGROX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than WGROX's 1.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIG vs. WGROX - Dividend Comparison

VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, less than WGROX's 8.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.51%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%
WGROX Wasatch Core Growth Fund	8.20%	8.55%	9.22%	0.00%	0.71%	16.82%	7.21%	10.73%	10.14%	6.24%	0.15%	12.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIG and WGROX in my portfolio?

VIG and WGROX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIG or WGROX?

WGROX has higher volatility (5.72%) compared to VIG (2.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIG dropped -46.81% vs WGROX's -61.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -0.12), 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.