VMAX vs. VUG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).

VMAX and VUG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VMAX is an actively managed fund by Hartford. It was launched on Dec 5, 2023. 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.

Performance

VMAX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

VMAX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VMAX Hartford US Value ETF	3.79%	15.65%	15.89%	6.98%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	-10.37%	19.40%	32.69%	5.00%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMAX achieves a 3.79% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -10.37% return.

VMAX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: 3.79%
• 6M: 7.09%
• 1Y: 19.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VUG

• 1D: 4.00%
• 1M: -5.12%
• YTD: -10.37%
• 6M: -8.73%
• 1Y: 18.30%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.43%
• 10Y*: 16.03%

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

VMAX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

VMAX

Hartford US Value ETF

VUG

Vanguard Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VMAX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMAX

VMAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 50
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

VMAX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) 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.

	VMAX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	0.81	+0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.31	+0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.18	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	1.11	+0.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.49	3.96	+3.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VMAX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMAX 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

	VMAX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	0.81	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	0.57	+0.62

Correlation

The correlation between VMAX and VUG is 0.56, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VMAX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, more than VUG's 0.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VMAX Hartford US Value ETF	2.06%	2.14%	1.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.46%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Drawdowns

VMAX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMAX drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMAX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMAX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-50.68%	+31.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.38%	-16.53%	+3.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.36%	-13.20%	+10.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.72%	-7.13%	+4.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	4.66%	-1.90%

Volatility

VMAX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) is 4.21%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.00%. This indicates that VMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMAX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	7.00%	-2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	12.65%	-2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.42%	22.68%	-4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.81%	22.23%	-6.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.81%	21.38%	-5.57%