VWENX vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VWENX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both funds - VWENX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. VWENX is actively managed, while VUG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWENX returned 10.13%/yr vs 17.90%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWENX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

VWENX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VWENX having a 5.10% return and VUG slightly lower at 4.99%. Over the past 10 years, VWENX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.13%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.90% annualized return.

VWENX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 6M: 5.87%
• 1Y: 18.41%
• 3Y*: 14.75%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: 10.13%

VUG

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -3.64%
• YTD: 4.99%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 22.83%
• 3Y*: 23.38%
• 5Y*: 13.78%
• 10Y*: 17.90%

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

VWENX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	5.10%	16.63%	14.82%	14.40%	-14.31%	19.09%	10.66%	22.61%	-3.35%	14.05%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	4.99%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VWENX and VUG 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.89

The correlation between VWENX and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWENX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWENX

VWENX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VWENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VWENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VWENX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VWENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VWENX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 36
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VWENX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) 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.

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.

	VWENX	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.29	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	1.78	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.29	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.92	4.43	+7.49

VWENX vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWENX Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWENX and VUG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VWENX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWENX drawdown since its inception was -36.02%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWENX and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWENX	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.02%	-50.68%	+14.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.77%	-16.53%	+9.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.98%	-22.85%	+10.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.84%	-35.61%	+14.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.33%	-35.61%	+10.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-5.56%	+3.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.35%	-7.09%	+2.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.50%	4.79%	-3.29%

Volatility

VWENX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) is 3.50%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 5.73%. This indicates that VWENX 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.

Volatility by Period

	VWENX	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	5.73%	-2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.21%	13.00%	-5.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	16.46%	-7.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.20%	22.30%	-11.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.56%	21.48%	-9.92%

VWENX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWENX has a 0.16% 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%.

Dividends

VWENX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VWENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.05%, more than VUG's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	11.05%	11.55%	10.85%	6.08%	8.28%	8.72%	7.85%	4.74%	9.58%	5.88%	4.53%	6.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWENX and VUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VWENX and VUG 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 is riskier, VWENX or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to VWENX (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWENX dropped -36.02% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.29), 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.