VOT vs. IPO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and IPO (Renaissance IPO ETF) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - VOT tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index while IPO tracks the Renaissance IPO Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 12.73%/yr vs 12.40%/yr for IPO. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOT charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IPO.

Performance

VOT vs. IPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a 10.04% return, which is significantly lower than IPO's 29.28% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VOT having a 12.73% annualized return and IPO not far behind at 12.40%.

VOT

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 7.76%
• 1Y: 13.33%
• 3Y*: 16.47%
• 5Y*: 6.31%
• 10Y*: 12.73%

IPO

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 11.14%
• YTD: 29.28%
• 6M: 23.90%
• 1Y: 36.21%
• 3Y*: 24.13%
• 5Y*: -1.92%
• 10Y*: 12.40%

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

VOT vs. IPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	10.04%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
IPO Renaissance IPO ETF	29.28%	5.45%	15.68%	52.55%	-57.26%	-10.31%	107.88%	34.11%	-17.24%	37.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and IPO is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2013	0.81

The correlation between VOT and IPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOT vs. IPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOT	IPO
Technology	32.5%	46.6%
Industrials	23.2%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	12.2%
Healthcare	8.9%	8.9%
Financial Services	6.9%	4.4%
Real Estate	4.5%	3.5%
Communication Services	3.6%	6.7%
Utilities	3.2%	0.2%
Energy	1.9%	0.9%
Basic Materials	1.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	7.8%

Return for Risk

VOT vs. IPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 21
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

IPO

IPO Risk / Return Rank: 31
IPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
IPO Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
IPO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

VOT vs. IPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VOT	IPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.21	-0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	1.75	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.21	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	1.39	-0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.50	3.10	-0.60

VOT vs. IPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the IPO Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT and IPO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VOT vs. IPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, smaller than the maximum IPO drawdown of -68.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and IPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	IPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-68.76%	+8.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-26.24%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-32.04%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.19%	-66.02%	+28.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-68.76%	+31.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-21.89%	+21.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.94%	-22.93%	+12.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.35%	11.72%	-6.37%

Volatility

VOT vs. IPO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 6.71%, while Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO) has a volatility of 10.97%. This indicates that VOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IPO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOT	IPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	10.97%	-4.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.56%	23.55%	-9.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.83%	30.18%	-13.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	36.06%	-14.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.07%	31.62%	-10.55%

VOT vs. IPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOT has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IPO's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOT vs. IPO - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, more than IPO's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IPO Renaissance IPO ETF	0.40%	0.66%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.10%	0.26%	0.49%	0.43%	0.40%	0.11%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.60%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOT and IPO in my portfolio?

VOT and IPO have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOT or IPO?

IPO has higher volatility (10.97%) compared to VOT (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs IPO's -68.76%.

Which ETF is better, VOT or IPO?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 12.73% vs 12.40% for IPO. On fees, VOT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VOT has been the lower-risk option at 6.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOT or IPO?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 12.73% return vs 12.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOT or IPO?

VOT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for IPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOT or IPO?

VOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.60%, compared with 0.40% for IPO.

What is the main difference between VOT and IPO?

VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while IPO tracks Renaissance IPO Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Renaissance Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VOT and 0.60% for IPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.80), 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.