VUSG vs. SPYG

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VUSG (Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. VUSG is actively managed, while SPYG is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUSG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

VUSG vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF (VUSG) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUSG achieves a 3.68% return, which is significantly lower than SPYG's 10.85% return.

VUSG

• 1D: -2.06%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 2.72%
• YTD: 3.68%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYG

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -0.66%
• 6M: 10.35%
• YTD: 10.85%
• 1Y: 22.88%
• 3Y*: 24.76%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 17.54%

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

VUSG vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VUSG Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF	3.68%	2.62%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.85%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSG and SPYG is 0.95, 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 Nov 18, 2025	0.95

Return for Risk

VUSG vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSG

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

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 44
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

VUSG vs. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF (VUSG) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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.

	VUSG	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.31	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.86	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.23	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.67	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.38	—

Drawdowns

VUSG vs. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSG drawdown since its inception was -15.14%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSG and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSG	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.14%	-67.63%	+52.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-13.76%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.67%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.74%	-3.65%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.78%	-24.23%	+20.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.59%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUSG	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.72%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	14.41%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.14%	17.57%	+2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.14%	21.43%	-1.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	20.74%	-0.60%

VUSG vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSG vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

VUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than SPYG's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.49%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%
VUSG Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF	0.02%	0.02%	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 VUSG and SPYG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VUSG and SPYG 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, VUSG or SPYG?

On fees, SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSG or SPYG?

SPYG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for VUSG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUSG or SPYG?

SPYG has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.02% for VUSG.

What is the main difference between VUSG and SPYG?

VUSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYG is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for VUSG and 0.04% for SPYG.