VOOG vs. IUSG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) and IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOOG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index, while IUSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOOG returned 18.15%/yr vs 17.88%/yr for IUSG. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VOOG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IUSG.

Performance

VOOG vs. IUSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VOOG having a 13.78% return and IUSG slightly higher at 14.08%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VOOG having a 18.15% annualized return and IUSG not far behind at 17.88%.

VOOG

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 7.44%
• YTD: 13.78%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 34.04%
• 3Y*: 28.13%
• 5Y*: 16.03%
• 10Y*: 18.15%

IUSG

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 7.35%
• YTD: 14.08%
• 6M: 13.91%
• 1Y: 33.89%
• 3Y*: 27.59%
• 5Y*: 15.69%
• 10Y*: 17.88%

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

VOOG vs. IUSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	13.78%	22.11%	35.89%	29.96%	-29.48%	31.95%	33.35%	30.93%	-0.21%	27.19%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	14.08%	21.23%	34.70%	29.28%	-28.81%	31.26%	32.65%	30.62%	-0.79%	27.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VOOG and IUSG is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.98

The correlation between VOOG and IUSG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOOG vs. IUSG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOOG	IUSG
Technology	49.4%	48.0%
Communication Services	18.0%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.3%
Financial Services	8.8%	8.8%
Industrials	6.2%	7.5%
Healthcare	5.8%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	1.0%
Real Estate	0.6%	0.9%
Utilities	0.4%	0.5%
Basic Materials	0.4%	0.5%
Energy	0.1%	0.2%

Return for Risk

VOOG vs. IUSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 58
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

IUSG

IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 59
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

VOOG vs. IUSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). 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.

	VOOG	IUSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.17	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.93	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.37	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	2.61	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	11.09	-0.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOOG vs. IUSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the IUSG Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOOG and IUSG, 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

	VOOG	IUSG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.17	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.76	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.88	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.38	+0.53

Drawdowns

VOOG vs. IUSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOOG drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, smaller than the maximum IUSG drawdown of -63.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOOG and IUSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOOG	IUSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-63.41%	+30.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-13.07%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.18%	-22.28%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-32.21%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.73%	-32.35%	-0.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-0.98%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-21.44%	+16.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	3.06%	+0.25%

Volatility

VOOG vs. IUSG - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) have volatilities of 4.32% and 4.23%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOOG	IUSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	4.23%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	12.23%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.85%	15.72%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.19%	20.87%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.73%	20.40%	+0.33%

VOOG vs. IUSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOOG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSG's 0.04% 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

VOOG vs. IUSG - Dividend Comparison

VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than IUSG's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	0.47%	0.53%	0.59%	1.12%	1.07%	0.59%	0.93%	1.64%	1.32%	1.28%	1.48%	1.29%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOOG and IUSG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VOOG and IUSG 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, VOOG or IUSG?

VOOG has higher volatility (4.32%) compared to IUSG (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOOG dropped -32.73% vs IUSG's -63.41%.

Which ETF is better, VOOG or IUSG?

On 10-year performance, VOOG leads with 18.15% vs 17.88% for IUSG. On fees, IUSG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOOG or IUSG?

Over the 10-year period, VOOG has performed better with a 18.15% return vs 17.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOOG or IUSG?

IUSG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VOOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOOG or IUSG?

IUSG has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.44% for VOOG.

What is the main difference between VOOG and IUSG?

VOOG is categorized as S&P 500, while IUSG is Large Cap Growth Equities. VOOG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index, while IUSG tracks Russell 3000 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VOOG and 0.04% for IUSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.16), 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.