VONG vs. QLEIX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and QLEIX (AQR Long-Short Equity Fund) are both funds - VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, while QLEIX is a Long-Short fund managed by AQR Funds. Over the past 10 years, VONG returned 18.32%/yr vs 11.88%/yr for QLEIX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VONG charges 0.06%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for QLEIX.

Performance

VONG vs. QLEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and AQR Long-Short Equity Fund (QLEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VONG achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly higher than QLEIX's -0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, VONG has outperformed QLEIX with an annualized return of 18.32%, while QLEIX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.88% annualized return.

VONG

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 18.32%

QLEIX

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: 2.17%
• 1Y: 14.56%
• 3Y*: 26.92%
• 5Y*: 21.52%
• 10Y*: 11.88%

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

VONG vs. QLEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	4.12%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%
QLEIX AQR Long-Short Equity Fund	-0.90%	34.43%	30.50%	23.95%	19.18%	31.10%	-13.92%	1.19%	-16.33%	15.74%

Correlation

The correlation between VONG and QLEIX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	0.42

The correlation between VONG and QLEIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (5 years) to 0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VONG vs. QLEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

QLEIX

QLEIX Risk / Return Rank: 48
QLEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QLEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QLEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QLEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
QLEIX 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.

VONG vs. QLEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and AQR Long-Short Equity Fund (QLEIX). 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.

	VONG	QLEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.06	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	3.02	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.38	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	2.49	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	7.84	-3.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VONG vs. QLEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VONG Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the QLEIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VONG and QLEIX, 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

	VONG	QLEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.06	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	2.14	-1.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	1.13	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	1.11	-0.23

Drawdowns

VONG vs. QLEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VONG drawdown since its inception was -32.72%, smaller than the maximum QLEIX drawdown of -38.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VONG and QLEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VONG	QLEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.72%	-38.11%	+5.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.23%	-6.01%	-10.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-7.07%	-16.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-17.07%	-15.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-38.11%	+5.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.47%	-1.50%	-2.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-7.73%	+2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	1.91%	+2.94%

Volatility

VONG vs. QLEIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a higher volatility of 4.78% compared to AQR Long-Short Equity Fund (QLEIX) at 2.24%. This indicates that VONG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLEIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VONG	QLEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	2.24%	+2.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	5.65%	+6.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	7.27%	+8.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.38%	10.10%	+11.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.90%	10.58%	+10.32%

VONG vs. QLEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VONG has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than QLEIX's 1.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VONG vs. QLEIX - Dividend Comparison

VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than QLEIX's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLEIX AQR Long-Short Equity Fund	1.77%	1.75%	7.12%	20.88%	14.15%	0.00%	1.57%	0.00%	6.03%	9.11%	3.01%	4.98%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VONG and QLEIX in my portfolio?

VONG and QLEIX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VONG or QLEIX?

VONG has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to QLEIX (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VONG dropped -32.72% vs QLEIX's -38.11%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.36), 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.