VTINX vs. VONG

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VTINX (Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both funds - VTINX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while VONG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, VTINX returned 5.26%/yr vs 18.29%/yr for VONG. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTINX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VONG.

Performance

VTINX vs. VONG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTINX achieves a 3.82% return, which is significantly higher than VONG's 2.96% return. Over the past 10 years, VTINX has underperformed VONG with an annualized return of 5.26%, while VONG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.29% annualized return.

VTINX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 3.82%
• 6M: 4.32%
• 1Y: 10.90%
• 3Y*: 9.04%
• 5Y*: 3.93%
• 10Y*: 5.26%

VONG

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -2.20%
• YTD: 2.96%
• 6M: 3.46%
• 1Y: 20.50%
• 3Y*: 22.47%
• 5Y*: 14.01%
• 10Y*: 18.29%

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

VTINX vs. VONG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	3.82%	11.31%	6.66%	10.66%	-12.75%	5.24%	10.02%	13.16%	-1.98%	7.46%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	2.96%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VTINX and VONG 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	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2010	0.77

The correlation between VTINX and VONG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTINX vs. VONG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTINX

VTINX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VTINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VTINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VTINX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTINX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 34
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VONG 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.

VTINX vs. VONG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) 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.

	VTINX	VONG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.20	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	1.67	+1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.21	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	1.17	+1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.15	3.87	+7.28

VTINX vs. VONG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the VONG Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTINX and VONG, 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

VTINX vs. VONG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTINX drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, smaller than the maximum VONG drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTINX and VONG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTINX	VONG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.96%	-32.72%	+12.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.14%	-16.23%	+12.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.26%	-23.27%	+18.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.02%	-32.72%	+15.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.02%	-32.72%	+15.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-5.52%	+4.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-4.88%	+2.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	4.91%	-3.95%

Volatility

VTINX vs. VONG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund (VTINX) is 2.25%, while Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a volatility of 5.30%. This indicates that VTINX 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.

Volatility by Period

	VTINX	VONG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	5.30%	-3.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.34%	12.35%	-8.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.15%	15.87%	-10.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.11%	21.39%	-15.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.75%	20.91%	-15.16%

VTINX vs. VONG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTINX 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

VTINX vs. VONG - Dividend Comparison

VTINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.84%, more than VONG's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%
VTINX Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund	4.84%	5.02%	5.89%	4.01%	3.08%	8.63%	3.42%	2.62%	4.19%	1.56%	2.27%	3.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTINX and VONG in my portfolio?

VTINX and VONG 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, VTINX or VONG?

VONG has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to VTINX (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTINX dropped -19.96% vs VONG's -32.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.20), 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.