VWUAX vs. IWF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VWUAX (Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares) and IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. VWUAX is actively managed, while IWF is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWUAX returned 14.86%/yr vs 17.29%/yr for IWF. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VWUAX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IWF.

Performance

VWUAX vs. IWF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWUAX achieves a -2.88% return, which is significantly lower than IWF's 0.17% return. Over the past 10 years, VWUAX has underperformed IWF with an annualized return of 14.86%, while IWF has yielded a comparatively higher 17.29% annualized return.

VWUAX

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: -3.71%
• 6M: -0.35%
• YTD: -2.88%
• 1Y: 2.46%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 14.86%
• ALL TIME*: 8.75%

IWF

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -2.34%
• 6M: 1.75%
• YTD: 0.17%
• 1Y: 9.98%
• 3Y*: 19.16%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 17.29%
• ALL TIME*: 8.22%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	$564.99M	$548.76M	$643.45M
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VWUAX vs. IWF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	-2.88%	15.49%	31.79%	45.32%	-39.58%	2.43%	58.80%	48.42%	0.77%	31.26%
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.17%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%

Correlation

The correlation between VWUAX and IWF is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2001	0.96

The correlation between VWUAX and IWF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWUAX vs. IWF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWUAX	IWF
Technology	44.7%	54.2%
Communication Services	16.2%	16.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	8.3%
Healthcare	10.3%	5.4%
Financial Services	6.1%	4.3%
Industrials	5.2%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	1.2%
Real Estate	1.3%	0.4%
Utilities	0.5%	0.3%
Basic Materials	0.4%	0.3%
Energy	-	0.5%

Return for Risk

VWUAX vs. IWF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VWUAX

VWUAX Risk / Return Rank: 5
VWUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VWUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
VWUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VWUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
VWUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 21
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 21

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VWUAX vs. IWF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF). 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.

	VWUAX	IWF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	0.45	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.17	0.74	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.09	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	0.49	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.09	1.45	-1.36

VWUAX vs. IWF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the IWF Sharpe Ratio of 0.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWUAX and IWF, 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

VWUAX vs. IWF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWUAX drawdown since its inception was -50.37%, smaller than the maximum IWF drawdown of -64.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWUAX and IWF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWUAX	IWF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.37%	-64.25%	+13.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.12%	-16.27%	-2.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-23.36%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.17%	-32.72%	-17.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.17%	-32.72%	-17.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.05%	-8.03%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.77%	-21.98%	+9.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.78%	5.45%	+1.33%

Volatility

VWUAX vs. IWF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX) is 5.29%, while iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) has a volatility of 6.50%. This indicates that VWUAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWUAX	IWF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	6.50%	-1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.35%	14.05%	+0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	17.49%	+0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.11%	21.70%	+3.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.79%	21.10%	+2.69%

VWUAX vs. IWF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWUAX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IWF's 0.18% 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

VWUAX vs. IWF - Dividend Comparison

VWUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.78%, more than IWF's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.36%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%
VWUAX Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares	9.78%	9.50%	4.70%	0.37%	0.49%	3.60%	4.00%	13.28%	9.80%	4.63%	1.67%	9.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWUAX and IWF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VWUAX and IWF 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, VWUAX or IWF?

IWF has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to VWUAX (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWUAX dropped -50.37% vs IWF's -64.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.45 vs 0.03), 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.