VUG vs. ISRG

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while ISRG (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VUG returned 17.41%/yr vs 16.51%/yr for ISRG. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VUG vs. ISRG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 5.18% return, which is significantly higher than ISRG's -37.64% return. Over the past 10 years, VUG has outperformed ISRG with an annualized return of 17.41%, while ISRG has yielded a comparatively lower 16.51% annualized return.

VUG

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -1.79%
• 6M: 5.78%
• YTD: 5.18%
• 1Y: 14.67%
• 3Y*: 21.89%
• 5Y*: 12.42%
• 10Y*: 17.41%
• ALL TIME*: 12.11%

ISRG

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: -13.18%
• 6M: -33.99%
• YTD: -37.64%
• 1Y: -31.90%
• 3Y*: 1.61%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 16.51%
• ALL TIME*: 21.90%

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

VUG vs. ISRG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.18%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	-37.64%	8.51%	54.72%	27.14%	-26.15%	31.76%	38.39%	23.43%	31.23%	72.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and ISRG is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between VUG and ISRG has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VUG vs. ISRG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 28

ISRG

ISRG Risk / Return Rank: 9
ISRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
ISRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
ISRG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
ISRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
ISRG Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. ISRG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG). 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	ISRG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	-0.91	+1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	-1.24	+2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	0.84	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	-0.77	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.92	-1.77	+4.69

VUG vs. ISRG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is higher than the ISRG Sharpe Ratio of -0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and ISRG, 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. ISRG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, smaller than the maximum ISRG drawdown of -82.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and ISRG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	ISRG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-82.26%	+31.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-41.74%	+25.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.85%	-43.42%	+20.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.61%	-49.90%	+14.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-49.90%	+14.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.39%	-42.15%	+36.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.08%	-21.33%	+14.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.04%	18.06%	-13.02%

Volatility

VUG vs. ISRG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is 5.71%, while Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) has a volatility of 19.26%. This indicates that VUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISRG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	ISRG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.71%	19.26%	-13.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.01%	27.17%	-13.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.34%	35.38%	-18.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.45%	34.17%	-11.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.52%	32.87%	-11.35%

Dividends

VUG vs. ISRG - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, while ISRG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.40%	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 ISRG in my portfolio?

VUG and ISRG have a correlation of 0.38, 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 ISRG?

ISRG has higher volatility (19.26%) compared to VUG (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs ISRG's -82.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs -0.91), 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.