VUS vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

VUS (Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. VUS is actively managed, while VOO is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

VUS vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUS achieves a 17.26% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 8.08% return.

VUS

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.36%
• YTD: 17.26%
• 6M: 15.92%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -1.44%
• YTD: 8.08%
• 6M: 6.78%
• 1Y: 22.23%
• 3Y*: 20.75%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: 15.60%

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

VUS vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	17.26%	0.88%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.08%	0.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VUS and VOO is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025	0.92

VUS vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUS	VOO
Technology	37.1%	39.1%
Real Estate	11.2%	1.8%
Industrials	10.9%	7.6%
Financial Services	8.4%	10.9%
Healthcare	7.9%	8.3%
Energy	6.4%	3.2%
Communication Services	5.9%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	4.2%	9.8%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.5%
Utilities	1.3%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VUS vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 60
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

VUS vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	VUS	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.80	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.46	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.51	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.16	—

Drawdowns

VUS vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUS drawdown since its inception was -9.45%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUS and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUS	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-33.99%	+24.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.90%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.69%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.80%	-3.23%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.51%	-3.68%	+2.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUS	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.80%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.79%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.12%	12.43%	+2.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.12%	16.91%	-1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.12%	18.02%	-2.90%

VUS vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO'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%.

Dividends

VUS vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

VUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, more than VOO's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	1.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUS and VOO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VUS and VOO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, VUS or VOO?

On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUS or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for VUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUS or VOO?

VUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.

What is the main difference between VUS and VOO?

VUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for VUS and 0.03% for VOO.