VPC vs. TUGN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VPC (Virtus Private Credit ETF) and TUGN (STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPC is a Nontraditional Bonds fund tracking the Indxx Private Credit Index, while TUGN is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Shelton. VPC is passively managed, while TUGN is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VPC returned -0.64%/yr vs 19.91%/yr for TUGN. Their 0.39 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VPC charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for TUGN.

Performance

VPC vs. TUGN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC) and STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF (TUGN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPC achieves a -9.85% return, which is significantly lower than TUGN's 14.85% return.

VPC

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: 0.33%
• 6M: -7.94%
• YTD: -9.85%
• 1Y: -14.71%
• 3Y*: -0.64%
• 5Y*: 1.24%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.88%

TUGN

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: -0.83%
• 6M: 13.42%
• YTD: 14.85%
• 1Y: 25.73%
• 3Y*: 19.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.60%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TUGN STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF	$679.60K	$716.30K	$817.64K
VPC Virtus Private Credit ETF	$172.51K	$168.73K	$168.71K

VPC vs. TUGN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VPC Virtus Private Credit ETF	-9.85%	-6.75%	10.52%	22.20%	-3.91%
TUGN STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF	14.85%	19.11%	18.44%	34.84%	-18.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VPC and TUGN is 0.36, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2022	0.39

Return for Risk

VPC vs. TUGN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VPC

VPC Risk / Return Rank: 2
VPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
VPC Omega Ratio Rank: 2
VPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VPC Martin Ratio Rank: 3

TUGN

TUGN Risk / Return Rank: 56
TUGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TUGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
TUGN Omega Ratio Rank: 57
TUGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
TUGN Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VPC vs. TUGN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC) and STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF (TUGN). 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.

	VPC	TUGN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.07	1.46	-2.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.46	2.02	-3.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.26	-0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.69	1.99	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.17	6.37	-7.54

VPC vs. TUGN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPC Sharpe Ratio is -1.07, which is lower than the TUGN Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPC and TUGN, 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

VPC vs. TUGN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPC drawdown since its inception was -53.45%, which is greater than TUGN's maximum drawdown of -23.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPC and TUGN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPC	TUGN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.45%	-23.45%	-30.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.55%	-12.96%	-8.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.86%	-21.60%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.16%	-4.06%	-16.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.96%	-6.31%	-1.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.55%	4.05%	+8.50%

Volatility

VPC vs. TUGN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC) is 3.95%, while STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF (TUGN) has a volatility of 6.00%. This indicates that VPC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TUGN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPC	TUGN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	6.00%	-2.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.15%	14.76%	-3.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.88%	17.78%	-3.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.61%	17.41%	-3.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.43%	17.41%	+3.02%

VPC vs. TUGN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPC has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than TUGN's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPC vs. TUGN - Dividend Comparison

VPC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.16%, more than TUGN's 11.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TUGN STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF	11.36%	11.50%	11.84%	10.83%	7.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPC Virtus Private Credit ETF	16.16%	14.33%	11.26%	11.71%	10.74%	6.31%	10.06%	8.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPC and TUGN in my portfolio?

VPC and TUGN have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPC or TUGN?

TUGN has higher volatility (6.00%) compared to VPC (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPC dropped -53.45% vs TUGN's -23.45%.

Which ETF is better, VPC or TUGN?

On 3-year performance, TUGN leads with 19.91% vs -0.64% for VPC. On fees, TUGN is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, VPC has been the lower-risk option at 3.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VPC or TUGN?

Over the 3-year period, TUGN has performed better with a 19.91% return vs -0.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPC or TUGN?

TUGN is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for VPC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VPC or TUGN?

VPC has the higher dividend yield at 16.16%, compared with 11.36% for TUGN.

What is the main difference between VPC and TUGN?

VPC is categorized as Nontraditional Bonds, while TUGN is Diversified Portfolio. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and Shelton. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for VPC and 0.65% for TUGN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TUGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs -1.07), 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.