VOOG vs. VPMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VOOG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index, while VPMAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VOOG returned 18.15%/yr vs 17.65%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOOG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for VPMAX.

Performance

VOOG vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOOG achieves a 13.78% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 25.44% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VOOG having a 18.15% annualized return and VPMAX not far behind at 17.65%.

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%

VPMAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 12.86%
• YTD: 25.44%
• 6M: 26.85%
• 1Y: 58.91%
• 3Y*: 28.09%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 17.65%

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

VOOG vs. VPMAX - 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%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	25.44%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VOOG and VPMAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.90

The correlation between VOOG and VPMAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VOOG vs. VPMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOOG	VPMAX
Technology	49.4%	29.2%
Communication Services	18.0%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	11.9%
Financial Services	8.8%	7.7%
Industrials	6.2%	13.3%
Healthcare	5.8%	25.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	1.2%
Real Estate	0.6%	0.1%
Utilities	0.4%	0.0%
Basic Materials	0.4%	1.6%
Energy	0.1%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VOOG vs. VPMAX — 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

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	3.76	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	5.05	-2.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.66	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	5.14	-2.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	23.68	-13.37
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. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOOG and VPMAX, 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	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	3.76	-1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.91	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.92	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.65	+0.26

Drawdowns

VOOG vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOOG drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, smaller than the maximum VPMAX drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOOG and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOOG	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-48.32%	+15.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-11.72%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.18%	-20.55%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-25.21%	-7.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.73%	-32.65%	-0.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	0.00%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-6.58%	+1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	2.54%	+0.77%

Volatility

VOOG vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) is 4.32%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 6.18%. This indicates that VOOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOOG	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	6.18%	-1.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	12.85%	-0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.85%	16.02%	-0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.19%	18.26%	+2.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.73%	19.19%	+1.54%

VOOG vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOOG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOOG vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than VPMAX's 13.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.12%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOOG and VPMAX in my portfolio?

VOOG and VPMAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOOG or VPMAX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (6.18%) compared to VOOG (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOOG dropped -32.73% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 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.