VOYA vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VOYA (Voya Financial, Inc.) is a stock, while VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, VOYA returned 14.76%/yr vs 18.02%/yr for VUG. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VOYA vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOYA achieves a 25.13% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 3.52% return. Over the past 10 years, VOYA has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 14.76%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.02% annualized return.

VOYA

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 12.37%
• YTD: 25.13%
• 6M: 23.19%
• 1Y: 38.73%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 10.69%
• 10Y*: 14.76%

VUG

• 1D: -2.12%
• 1M: -3.95%
• YTD: 3.52%
• 6M: 2.23%
• 1Y: 20.05%
• 3Y*: 22.74%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 18.02%

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

VOYA vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOYA Voya Financial, Inc.	25.13%	11.05%	-3.43%	20.69%	-6.06%	14.05%	-2.47%	53.73%	-18.80%	26.26%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	3.52%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VOYA and VUG is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2013	0.47

The correlation between VOYA and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.47 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VOYA vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOYA

VOYA Risk / Return Rank: 78
VOYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VOYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VOYA Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VOYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VOYA Martin Ratio Rank: 80

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 31
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

VOYA vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	VOYA	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.19	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	1.67	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.21	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	1.22	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.09	4.15	+1.94

VOYA vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOYA Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOYA and VUG, 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

VOYA vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOYA drawdown since its inception was -52.15%, roughly equal to the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOYA and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOYA	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.15%	-50.68%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.52%	-16.53%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.55%	-22.85%	-11.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.55%	-35.61%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.15%	-35.61%	-16.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-6.88%	+6.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.81%	-7.09%	-4.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.37%	4.84%	+1.53%

Volatility

VOYA vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) is 5.87%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 6.86%. This indicates that VOYA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOYA	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.87%	6.86%	-0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.98%	13.44%	+7.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.36%	16.91%	+10.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.98%	22.39%	+6.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.47%	21.51%	+8.96%

Dividends

VOYA vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VOYA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.02%, more than VUG's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOYA Voya Financial, Inc.	2.02%	2.44%	2.47%	1.64%	1.37%	1.11%	1.02%	1.00%	0.10%	0.08%	0.10%	0.11%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOYA and VUG in my portfolio?

VOYA and VUG have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOYA or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to VOYA (5.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOYA dropped -52.15% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOYA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.19), 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.