VUG vs. VSVNX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) and VSVNX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund) are both funds - VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while VSVNX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, VUG returned 24.49%/yr vs 19.61%/yr for VSVNX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VSVNX.

Performance

VUG vs. VSVNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUG achieves a 5.80% return, which is significantly lower than VSVNX's 11.69% return.

VUG

• 1D: -3.62%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 5.80%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 23.98%
• 3Y*: 24.49%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 17.81%

VSVNX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.27%
• 1Y: 27.68%
• 3Y*: 19.61%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VUG vs. VSVNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.80%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-6.56%
VSVNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund	11.69%	21.43%	14.38%	20.45%	1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and VSVNX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2022	0.86

The correlation between VUG and VSVNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

VUG vs. VSVNX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUG	VSVNX
Technology	53.5%	27.3%
Communication Services	17.3%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	9.4%
Healthcare	4.6%	8.3%
Financial Services	4.3%	16.1%
Industrials	3.6%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	4.8%
Real Estate	1.0%	2.5%
Utilities	0.9%	2.7%
Basic Materials	0.6%	4.3%
Energy	0.4%	4.3%

Return for Risk

VUG vs. VSVNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 38
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

VSVNX

VSVNX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VSVNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VSVNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VSVNX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VSVNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VSVNX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VSVNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX). 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	VSVNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	2.40	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	3.34	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.44	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	3.07	-1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.09	13.65	-8.56
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. VSVNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is lower than the VSVNX Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and VSVNX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VUG	VSVNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	2.40	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	1.33	-0.72

Drawdowns

VUG vs. VSVNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, which is greater than VSVNX's maximum drawdown of -15.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and VSVNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	VSVNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-15.39%	-35.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-8.94%	-7.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.85%	-14.53%	-8.32%
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	-4.83%	-0.42%	-4.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.09%	-2.50%	-4.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.72%	2.01%	+2.71%

Volatility

VUG vs. VSVNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a higher volatility of 5.17% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund (VSVNX) at 3.42%. This indicates that VUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSVNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	VSVNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.17%	3.42%	+1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.68%	9.11%	+3.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.26%	11.43%	+4.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.27%	13.68%	+8.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.47%	13.68%	+7.79%

VUG vs. VSVNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VSVNX's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VUG vs. VSVNX - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than VSVNX's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSVNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund	1.63%	1.82%	1.79%	1.57%	0.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	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 VSVNX in my portfolio?

VUG and VSVNX have a correlation of 0.85, 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 VSVNX?

VUG has higher volatility (5.17%) compared to VSVNX (3.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs VSVNX's -15.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSVNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.48), 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.