VRGWX vs. TRFK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VRGWX (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) are both funds - VRGWX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while TRFK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. Over the past 3 years, VRGWX returned 25.44%/yr vs 54.15%/yr for TRFK. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VRGWX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for TRFK.

Performance

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRGWX achieves a 8.59% return, which is significantly lower than TRFK's 69.94% return.

VRGWX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 7.10%
• YTD: 8.59%
• 6M: 7.96%
• 1Y: 27.42%
• 3Y*: 25.44%
• 5Y*: 16.84%
• 10Y*: 19.22%

TRFK

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 31.98%
• YTD: 69.94%
• 6M: 62.01%
• 1Y: 103.92%
• 3Y*: 54.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	8.59%	18.32%	33.25%	42.65%	-7.05%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	69.94%	26.81%	38.30%	66.63%	-10.61%

Correlation

The correlation between VRGWX and TRFK is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2022	0.87

The correlation between VRGWX and TRFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRGWX vs. TRFK — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRGWX

VRGWX Risk / Return Rank: 32
VRGWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VRGWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VRGWX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VRGWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VRGWX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

TRFK

TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 86
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). 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.

	VRGWX	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	3.78	-1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	4.39	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.55	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	5.34	-3.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.89	12.82	-6.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRGWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is lower than the TRFK Sharpe Ratio of 3.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRGWX and TRFK, 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

	VRGWX	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	3.78	-1.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	1.58	-0.68

Drawdowns

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRGWX drawdown since its inception was -32.70%, which is greater than TRFK's maximum drawdown of -29.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRGWX and TRFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRGWX	TRFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.70%	-29.06%	-3.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.19%	-19.56%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.44%	-29.06%	+5.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.06%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-6.04%	+1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.81%	8.13%	-3.32%

Volatility

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRGWX) is 3.32%, while Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a volatility of 9.93%. This indicates that VRGWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TRFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRGWX	TRFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	9.93%	-6.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.60%	21.73%	-10.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	27.70%	-12.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.62%	28.91%	-7.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.16%	28.91%	-7.75%

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRGWX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than TRFK's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRGWX vs. TRFK - Dividend Comparison

VRGWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, more than TRFK's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.40%	0.20%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VRGWX Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.43%	0.35%	0.56%	0.71%	0.99%	4.18%	0.77%	1.03%	1.22%	1.22%	1.52%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRGWX and TRFK in my portfolio?

VRGWX and TRFK have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRGWX or TRFK?

TRFK has higher volatility (9.93%) compared to VRGWX (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRGWX dropped -32.70% vs TRFK's -29.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRFK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 1.85), 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.