VIOV vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIOV (Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIOV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Value 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, VIOV returned 10.23%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIOV charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

VIOV vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIOV achieves a 15.28% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VIOV has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.23%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.26% annualized return.

VIOV

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 15.28%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 37.06%
• 3Y*: 14.29%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

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%

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

VIOV vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF	15.28%	6.63%	7.44%	15.36%	-11.37%	30.67%	2.81%	24.44%	-12.85%	11.54%
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 VIOV and VUG is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.63

The correlation between VIOV and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VIOV vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIOV	VUG
Financial Services	19.8%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	15.4%	12.2%
Industrials	12.7%	3.6%
Technology	10.6%	53.5%
Energy	9.1%	0.4%
Real Estate	8.8%	1.0%
Healthcare	7.5%	4.6%
Basic Materials	6.3%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	1.5%
Communication Services	3.4%	17.3%
Utilities	1.9%	0.9%

Return for Risk

VIOV vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIOV

VIOV Risk / Return Rank: 64
VIOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VIOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VIOV Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VIOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VIOV Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

VIOV vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) 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.

	VIOV	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.77	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.40	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	1.69	+2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.00	5.92	+7.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIOV vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIOV and VUG, 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

	VIOV	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.77	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.68	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.85	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.62	-0.09

Drawdowns

VIOV vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIOV drawdown since its inception was -47.36%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOV and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIOV	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.36%	-50.68%	+3.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-16.53%	+7.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.44%	-22.85%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.44%	-35.61%	+7.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.36%	-35.61%	-11.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-1.51%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.38%	-7.09%	-0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	4.71%	-1.85%

Volatility

VIOV vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that VIOV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIOV	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	3.83%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.57%	12.11%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.41%	15.84%	+2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	22.22%	-0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.89%	21.44%	+2.45%

VIOV vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIOV has a 0.10% 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%.

Dividends

VIOV vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VIOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF	1.59%	1.69%	1.78%	2.18%	1.81%	1.59%	1.42%	1.60%	1.76%	1.43%	1.17%	1.32%
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

Can I hold both VIOV and VUG in my portfolio?

VIOV and VUG have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIOV or VUG?

VIOV has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIOV dropped -47.36% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, VIOV or VUG?

On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.26% vs 10.23% for VIOV. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIOV or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.26% return vs 10.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIOV or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VIOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIOV or VUG?

VIOV has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between VIOV and VUG?

VIOV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. VIOV tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VIOV and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.77), 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.