VUG vs. DRLL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) and DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VUG returned 24.05%/yr vs 11.02%/yr for DRLL. Their 0.12 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VUG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DRLL.

Performance

VUG vs. DRLL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 9.37% return, which is significantly lower than DRLL's 29.95% return.

VUG

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 2.37%
• 6M: 14.16%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 1Y: 18.90%
• 3Y*: 24.05%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: 17.74%
• ALL TIME*: 12.28%

DRLL

• 1D: -2.68%
• 1M: 8.84%
• 6M: 11.16%
• YTD: 29.95%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 11.02%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$478.10K	$507.89K	$528.94K
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$575.70M	$646.88M	$656.90M

VUG vs. DRLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.37%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-16.52%
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	29.95%	7.74%	0.02%	-1.84%	15.52%

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and DRLL is -0.26, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.26
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2022	0.12

The correlation between VUG and DRLL shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VUG vs. DRLL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUG	DRLL
Technology	56.2%	-
Communication Services	15.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.5%	0.9%
Industrials	5.3%	-
Healthcare	4.7%	-
Financial Services	3.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	-
Utilities	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	0.5%	-
Energy	0.3%	99.1%

Return for Risk

VUG vs. DRLL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 35
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 53
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VUG vs. DRLL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL). 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.

	VUG	DRLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	1.62	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	2.13	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.27	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.15	2.20	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	5.57	-1.93

VUG vs. DRLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the DRLL Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and DRLL, 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

VUG vs. DRLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, which is greater than DRLL's maximum drawdown of -23.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and DRLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	DRLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-23.73%	-26.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-16.99%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.85%	-23.73%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	-9.02%	+7.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.08%	-8.14%	+1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.20%	6.71%	-1.51%

Volatility

VUG vs. DRLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is 6.15%, while Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that VUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DRLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	DRLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.15%	7.42%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.41%	18.67%	-4.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.77%	23.14%	-5.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.54%	23.82%	-1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.58%	23.82%	-2.24%

VUG vs. DRLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than DRLL's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUG vs. DRLL - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than DRLL's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.34%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 DRLL in my portfolio?

VUG and DRLL have a correlation of -0.26, 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 DRLL?

DRLL has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to VUG (6.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs DRLL's -23.73%.

Which ETF is better, VUG or DRLL?

On 3-year performance, VUG leads with 24.05% vs 11.02% for DRLL. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 6.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VUG or DRLL?

Over the 3-year period, VUG has performed better with a 24.05% return vs 11.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUG or DRLL?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for DRLL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUG or DRLL?

DRLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.38% for VUG.

What is the main difference between VUG and DRLL?

VUG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while DRLL is Energy Equities. VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VUG and 0.41% for DRLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRLL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.07), 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.