VUIAX vs. VUG
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
VUIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 28, 2004. 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.
Performance
VUIAX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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VUIAX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares | 7.79% | 16.39% | 23.03% | -7.49% | 1.13% | 17.16% | -0.90% | 24.97% | 4.45% | 12.49% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | -9.39% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUIAX achieves a 7.79% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -9.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VUIAX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 9.59%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.
VUIAX
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -2.50%
- YTD
- 7.79%
- 6M
- 5.16%
- 1Y
- 18.84%
- 3Y*
- 13.78%
- 5Y*
- 10.44%
- 10Y*
- 9.59%
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%
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VUIAX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUIAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
VUIAX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
VUIAX
VUG
VUIAX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.
| VUIAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.24 | 0.82 | +0.42 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.69 | 1.32 | +0.37 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.19 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.31 | 1.19 | +1.12 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.49 | 4.15 | +1.34 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VUIAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.24 | 0.82 | +0.42 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 | 0.53 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.50 | 0.76 | -0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.54 | 0.57 | -0.03 |
Correlation
The correlation between VUIAX and VUG is 0.45, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
VUIAX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
VUIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, more than VUG's 0.45% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares | 2.57% | 2.73% | 3.01% | 3.49% | 2.98% | 2.56% | 3.17% | 2.82% | 3.23% | 3.18% | 3.19% | 3.64% |
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% |
Drawdowns
VUIAX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUIAX drawdown since its inception was -46.29%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUIAX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VUIAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.29% | -50.68% | +4.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.87% | -16.53% | +7.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.18% | -35.61% | +10.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.21% | -35.61% | -0.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.15% | -12.25% | +9.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.80% | -7.13% | -0.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.72% | 4.72% | -1.00% |
Volatility
VUIAX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) is 5.04%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that VUIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VUIAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.04% | 7.12% | -2.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.22% | 12.70% | -2.48% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.59% | 22.70% | -7.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.96% | 22.22% | -5.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.13% | 21.38% | -2.25% |