VRTGX vs. VONG
VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both funds - VRTGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, VRTGX returned 10.75%/yr vs 17.43%/yr for VONG. Their 0.80 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VRTGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VONG.
Performance
VRTGX vs. VONG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VRTGX achieves a 15.88% return, which is significantly higher than VONG's 0.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTGX has underperformed VONG with an annualized return of 10.75%, while VONG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.43% annualized return.
VRTGX
- 1D
- 2.66%
- 1M
- -3.48%
- 6M
- 11.45%
- YTD
- 15.88%
- 1Y
- 32.01%
- 3Y*
- 14.65%
- 5Y*
- 5.27%
- 10Y*
- 10.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.85%
VONG
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- -2.27%
- 6M
- 1.82%
- YTD
- 0.39%
- 1Y
- 10.18%
- 3Y*
- 19.33%
- 5Y*
- 11.83%
- 10Y*
- 17.43%
- ALL TIME*
- 16.45%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $121.41M | $148.04M | $174.70M | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VRTGX vs. VONG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 15.88% | 12.97% | 15.26% | 18.80% | -26.30% | 2.82% | 34.81% | 28.84% | -9.21% | 22.27% |
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 0.39% | 18.45% | 33.20% | 42.67% | -29.18% | 27.60% | 38.30% | 36.06% | -1.53% | 30.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between VRTGX and VONG is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.77 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.77 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2010 | 0.80 |
The correlation between VRTGX and VONG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VRTGX vs. VONG — Risk / Return Rank
VRTGX
VONG
VRTGX vs. VONG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). 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.
| VRTGX | VONG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.09 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.93 | 0.50 | +1.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.67 | 1.48 | +5.18 |
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Drawdowns
VRTGX vs. VONG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VRTGX drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, which is greater than VONG's maximum drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTGX and VONG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VRTGX | VONG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.97% | -32.72% | -9.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.80% | -16.23% | +1.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.54% | -23.27% | -5.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.48% | -32.72% | -7.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.97% | -32.72% | -9.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.20% | -7.89% | +2.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.36% | -4.89% | -5.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.28% | 5.42% | -1.14% |
Volatility
VRTGX vs. VONG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) is 5.76%, while Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a volatility of 6.45%. This indicates that VRTGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VONG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VRTGX | VONG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.76% | 6.45% | -0.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.18% | 14.00% | +3.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.44% | 17.45% | +4.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.70% | 21.64% | +3.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.56% | 21.01% | +3.55% |
VRTGX vs. VONG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VRTGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VONG's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VRTGX vs. VONG - Dividend Comparison
VRTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, more than VONG's 0.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 0.48% | 0.45% | 0.55% | 0.71% | 0.98% | 0.58% | 0.77% | 1.03% | 1.18% | 1.19% | 1.48% | 1.47% |
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.63% | 0.57% | 0.62% | 0.85% | 0.78% | 0.54% | 0.53% | 0.90% | 0.85% | 0.75% | 1.07% | 0.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VRTGX and VONG have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VONG has higher volatility (6.45%) compared to VRTGX (5.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTGX dropped -41.97% vs VONG's -32.72%.
VRTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.46), 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.
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