VONG vs. VIGAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VONG returned 18.77%/yr vs 18.42%/yr for VIGAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VONG charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VIGAX.

Performance

VONG vs. VIGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VONG achieves a 8.61% return, which is significantly lower than VIGAX's 11.14% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VONG having a 18.77% annualized return and VIGAX not far behind at 18.42%.

VONG

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 6.89%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 7.89%
• 1Y: 28.25%
• 3Y*: 25.48%
• 5Y*: 15.98%
• 10Y*: 18.77%

VIGAX

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 7.64%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 10.43%
• 1Y: 30.68%
• 3Y*: 26.57%
• 5Y*: 15.54%
• 10Y*: 18.42%

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

VONG vs. VIGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	8.61%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.14%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VONG and VIGAX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.98

The correlation between VONG and VIGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VONG vs. VIGAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VONG	VIGAX
Technology	51.4%	53.5%
Communication Services	13.2%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	12.2%
Healthcare	7.1%	4.6%
Industrials	5.7%	3.6%
Financial Services	5.3%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	1.5%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.0%
Energy	0.4%	0.4%
Basic Materials	0.3%	0.6%
Utilities	0.3%	0.9%

Return for Risk

VONG vs. VIGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 46
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. VIGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.00	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.68	-0.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.35	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	1.91	-0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.02	6.73	-0.71
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. VIGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VONG Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the VIGAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VONG and VIGAX, 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	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	2.00	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.70	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.86	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.48	+0.42

Drawdowns

VONG vs. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VONG drawdown since its inception was -32.72%, smaller than the maximum VIGAX drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VONG and VIGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VONG	VIGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.72%	-50.66%	+17.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.23%	-16.51%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-23.04%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-35.63%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-35.63%	+2.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	0.00%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-11.96%	+7.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	4.68%	+0.15%

Volatility

VONG vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is 3.23%, while Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that VONG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VONG	VIGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	3.59%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.53%	12.11%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.32%	15.90%	-0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.33%	22.35%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	21.59%	-0.72%

VONG vs. VIGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VONG has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGAX's 0.05% 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

VONG vs. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison

VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, more than VIGAX's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.36%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.42%	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 VIGAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VONG and VIGAX 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, VONG or VIGAX?

VIGAX has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to VONG (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VONG dropped -32.72% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.85), 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.