VIOG vs. RFG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) and Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG).

VIOG and RFG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VIOG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index. It was launched on Sep 7, 2010. RFG is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Growth. It was launched on Mar 1, 2006. Both VIOG and RFG 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

VIOG vs. RFG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) and Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VIOG vs. RFG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIOG Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF	2.81%	5.40%	9.23%	16.92%	-21.14%	22.49%	19.68%	21.16%	-4.57%	14.70%
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	4.55%	8.80%	17.80%	16.42%	-21.70%	13.81%	32.86%	17.09%	-13.98%	20.46%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIOG achieves a 2.81% return, which is significantly lower than RFG's 4.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VIOG has outperformed RFG with an annualized return of 9.89%, while RFG has yielded a comparatively lower 9.04% annualized return.

VIOG

• 1D: 3.50%
• 1M: -4.59%
• YTD: 2.81%
• 6M: 2.72%
• 1Y: 17.58%
• 3Y*: 10.75%
• 5Y*: 3.16%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

RFG

• 1D: 3.68%
• 1M: -6.38%
• YTD: 4.55%
• 6M: 7.67%
• 1Y: 25.57%
• 3Y*: 14.99%
• 5Y*: 4.84%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

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

VIOG vs. RFG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIOG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than RFG's 0.35% expense ratio.

RFG

Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF

VIOG

Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VIOG vs. RFG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIOG

VIOG Risk / Return Rank: 51
VIOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VIOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VIOG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VIOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VIOG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

RFG

RFG Risk / Return Rank: 69
RFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
RFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
RFG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
RFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RFG Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VIOG vs. RFG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) and Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG). 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.

	VIOG	RFG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.10	-0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	1.69	-0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.22	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.90	-0.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.39	8.23	-2.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIOG vs. RFG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIOG Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is comparable to the RFG Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIOG and RFG, 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

	VIOG	RFG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80	1.10	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.21	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.39	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.40	+0.17

Correlation

The correlation between VIOG and RFG is 0.88, 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

VIOG vs. RFG - Dividend Comparison

VIOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, more than RFG's 0.37% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIOG Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF	0.94%	1.04%	1.03%	1.15%	1.17%	0.69%	0.68%	1.09%	0.76%	0.87%	0.92%	1.04%
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	0.37%	0.43%	0.38%	0.99%	0.78%	0.05%	0.27%	0.64%	0.76%	0.66%	0.35%	0.61%

Drawdowns

VIOG vs. RFG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIOG drawdown since its inception was -41.73%, smaller than the maximum RFG drawdown of -51.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOG and RFG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIOG	RFG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.73%	-51.93%	+10.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.82%	-13.44%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.15%	-35.16%	+6.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.73%	-42.92%	+1.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.85%	-7.11%	+1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.69%	-9.03%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	3.10%	+0.31%

Volatility

VIOG vs. RFG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) is 7.21%, while Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) has a volatility of 8.63%. This indicates that VIOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RFG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIOG	RFG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.21%	8.63%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.04%	14.19%	-1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.01%	23.25%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.54%	22.73%	-1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.82%	22.98%	-0.16%