VIGRX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VIGRX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - VIGRX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, VIGRX returned 18.27%/yr vs 15.13%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VIGRX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VIGRX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGRX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIGRX achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 12.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VIGRX has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 18.27%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.13% annualized return.

VIGRX

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 7.63%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 10.36%
• 1Y: 30.53%
• 3Y*: 26.38%
• 5Y*: 15.38%
• 10Y*: 18.27%

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

VIGRX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIGRX Vanguard Growth Index Fund	11.08%	19.18%	32.51%	46.59%	-33.22%	27.10%	40.01%	37.08%	-3.47%	27.64%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGRX and VTI is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2001	0.95

The correlation between VIGRX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VIGRX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIGRX

VIGRX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VIGRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VIGRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VIGRX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VIGRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VIGRX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VIGRX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGRX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	VIGRX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.48	-0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	3.37	-0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.44	-1.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.67	15.88	-9.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIGRX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGRX and VTI, 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

	VIGRX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.48	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.75	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.83	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.51	+0.08

Drawdowns

VIGRX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGRX drawdown since its inception was -57.47%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGRX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIGRX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.47%	-55.45%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.55%	-8.92%	-7.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.13%	-19.30%	-3.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.70%	-25.36%	-10.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.70%	-35.00%	-0.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.21%	-8.03%	-6.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.70%	1.93%	+2.77%

Volatility

VIGRX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGRX) has a higher volatility of 3.59% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.86%. This indicates that VIGRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIGRX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.59%	2.86%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.11%	9.11%	+3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.90%	12.15%	+3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.35%	17.40%	+4.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.59%	18.30%	+3.29%

VIGRX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIGRX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI'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%.

Dividends

VIGRX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VIGRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGRX Vanguard Growth Index Fund	0.26%	0.22%	0.35%	0.47%	0.54%	0.36%	0.56%	0.83%	1.18%	1.03%	1.27%	1.16%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIGRX and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VIGRX and VTI 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, VIGRX or VTI?

VIGRX has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGRX dropped -57.47% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.99), 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.