VUG vs. VEA

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA).

VUG and VEA are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000. VEA is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. It was launched on Jul 20, 2007. Both VUG and VEA are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VUG vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

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

VUG vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	-9.39%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	4.45%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a -9.39% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 4.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VUG has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 16.16%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.55% annualized return.

VUG

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: -4.37%
• YTD: -9.39%
• 6M: -8.17%
• 1Y: 18.52%
• 3Y*: 21.59%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 16.16%

VEA

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: -5.45%
• YTD: 4.45%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 31.74%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: 8.93%
• 10Y*: 9.55%

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

VUG vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VUG and VEA 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%.

VUG

Vanguard Growth ETF

VEA

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

Return for Risk

VUG vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 44
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 43

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 87
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	1.81	-0.99
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.32	2.46	-1.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.36	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	2.77	-1.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.15	10.77	-6.62
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. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and VEA, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VUG	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	1.81	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.55	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.55	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.22	+0.35

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and VEA is 0.77, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VUG vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than VEA's 2.88% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.45%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.88%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Drawdowns

VUG vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-60.68%	+10.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-11.63%	-4.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.61%	-29.71%	-5.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-35.73%	+0.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.25%	-7.20%	-5.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-13.39%	+6.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.72%	2.99%	+1.73%

Volatility

VUG vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is 7.12%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 7.92%. This indicates that VUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.12%	7.92%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.70%	11.68%	+1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.70%	17.67%	+5.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.22%	16.30%	+5.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	17.26%	+4.12%