VUG vs. AXP

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while AXP (American Express Company) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VUG returned 17.95%/yr vs 18.65%/yr for AXP. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VUG vs. AXP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 6.14% return, which is significantly higher than AXP's -15.13% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VUG having a 17.95% annualized return and AXP not far ahead at 18.65%.

VUG

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: 6.14%
• 6M: 5.11%
• 1Y: 23.11%
• 3Y*: 24.71%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 17.95%

AXP

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -1.18%
• YTD: -15.13%
• 6M: -13.33%
• 1Y: 4.33%
• 3Y*: 23.52%
• 5Y*: 15.12%
• 10Y*: 18.65%

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

VUG vs. AXP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	6.14%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%
AXP American Express Company	-15.13%	25.99%	60.32%	28.67%	-8.52%	36.88%	-1.14%	32.52%	-2.62%	36.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and AXP is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between VUG and AXP has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VUG vs. AXP — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 40
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

AXP

AXP Risk / Return Rank: 44
AXP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
AXP Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
AXP Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AXP Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AXP Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

VUG vs. AXP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and American Express Company (AXP). 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.

	VUG	AXP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	0.17	+1.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	0.40	+1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.05	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	0.18	+1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.90	0.40	+4.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUG vs. AXP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the AXP Sharpe Ratio of 0.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and AXP, 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

	VUG	AXP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	0.17	+1.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.52	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.59	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.29	+0.32

Drawdowns

VUG vs. AXP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, smaller than the maximum AXP drawdown of -83.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and AXP.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	AXP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-83.91%	+33.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-23.90%	+7.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.85%	-28.76%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.61%	-31.55%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-49.64%	+14.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.52%	-18.42%	+13.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.09%	-22.05%	+14.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.73%	10.96%	-6.23%

Volatility

VUG vs. AXP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is 5.17%, while American Express Company (AXP) has a volatility of 6.27%. This indicates that VUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AXP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	AXP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.17%	6.27%	-1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.68%	20.03%	-7.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.25%	26.27%	-10.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.28%	29.49%	-7.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.48%	31.83%	-10.35%

Dividends

VUG vs. AXP - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than AXP's 1.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AXP American Express Company	1.09%	0.85%	0.91%	1.24%	1.35%	1.05%	1.42%	1.29%	1.51%	1.32%	1.61%	1.58%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.38%	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 VUG and AXP in my portfolio?

VUG and AXP have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUG or AXP?

AXP has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to VUG (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs AXP's -83.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.17), 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.