VUG vs. VST
VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while VST (Vistra Corp.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, VUG returned 12.42%/yr vs 56.74%/yr for VST. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
VUG vs. VST - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 5.18% return, which is significantly higher than VST's -1.80% 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%
VST
- 1D
- 1.64%
- 1M
- -3.38%
- 6M
- -4.91%
- YTD
- -1.80%
- 1Y
- -17.71%
- 3Y*
- 79.06%
- 5Y*
- 56.74%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 30.79%
VUG vs. VST - 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% |
VST Vistra Corp. | -1.80% | 17.66% | 261.52% | 70.73% | 5.08% | 19.57% | -11.87% | 2.46% | 24.95% | 18.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUG and VST is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2016 | 0.35 |
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Return for Risk
VUG vs. VST — Risk / Return Rank
VUG
VST
VUG vs. VST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Vistra Corp. (VST). 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 | VST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 0.97 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.89 | -0.47 | +1.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.92 | -0.80 | +3.72 |
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Drawdowns
VUG vs. VST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, roughly equal to the maximum VST drawdown of -53.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and VST.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VUG | VST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.68% | -53.32% | +2.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.53% | -38.01% | +21.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.85% | -48.80% | +25.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.61% | -48.80% | +13.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.61% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.39% | -27.20% | +21.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.08% | -13.85% | +6.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.04% | 22.32% | -17.28% |
Volatility
VUG vs. VST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is 5.71%, while Vistra Corp. (VST) has a volatility of 10.86%. This indicates that VUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VUG | VST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.71% | 10.86% | -5.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.01% | 34.20% | -20.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.34% | 48.76% | -31.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.45% | 47.96% | -25.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.52% | 42.18% | -20.66% |
Dividends
VUG vs. VST - Dividend Comparison
VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than VST's 0.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VST Vistra Corp. | 0.58% | 0.56% | 0.63% | 2.13% | 3.12% | 2.64% | 2.75% | 2.17% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 14.97% | 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
VUG and VST have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VST has higher volatility (10.86%) compared to VUG (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs VST's -53.32%.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs -0.37), 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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