VUG vs. BIV
VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VUG returned 17.95%/yr vs 1.83%/yr for BIV. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VUG vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 6.14% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VUG has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 17.95%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.83% annualized return.
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%
BIV
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.94%
- YTD
- -0.67%
- 6M
- -0.33%
- 1Y
- 4.70%
- 3Y*
- 4.27%
- 5Y*
- 0.08%
- 10Y*
- 1.83%
VUG vs. BIV - 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% |
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.67% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUG and BIV is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | -0.13 |
The correlation between VUG and BIV shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VUG vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
VUG
BIV
VUG vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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 | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.21 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 1.49 | -0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.90 | 4.40 | +0.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VUG | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.43 | 1.18 | +0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 | 0.01 | +0.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.84 | 0.33 | +0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.61 | 0.64 | -0.03 |
Drawdowns
VUG vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, which is greater than BIV's maximum drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VUG | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.68% | -18.95% | -31.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.53% | -3.18% | -13.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.85% | -6.07% | -16.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.61% | -18.74% | -16.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.61% | -18.95% | -16.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.52% | -2.46% | -2.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.09% | -3.39% | -3.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.73% | 1.07% | +3.66% |
Volatility
VUG vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a higher volatility of 5.17% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.35%. This indicates that VUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VUG | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.17% | 1.35% | +3.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.68% | 2.93% | +9.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.25% | 4.00% | +12.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.28% | 6.40% | +15.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.48% | 5.51% | +15.97% |
VUG vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VUG and BIV have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VUG vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than BIV's 4.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.24% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
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
VUG and BIV have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (5.17%) compared to BIV (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs BIV's -18.95%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 17.95% vs 1.83% for BIV. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 17.95% return vs 1.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VUG and BIV have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 0.38% for VUG.
VUG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.18), 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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