VXF vs. VOT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VXF (Vanguard Extended Market ETF) and VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXF is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Completion Index, while VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXF returned 11.74%/yr vs 11.66%/yr for VOT. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

VXF vs. VOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXF achieves a 13.55% return, which is significantly higher than VOT's 6.22% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VXF having a 11.74% annualized return and VOT not far behind at 11.66%.

VXF

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -2.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• YTD: 13.55%
• 1Y: 23.35%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 6.11%
• 10Y*: 11.74%
• ALL TIME*: 9.98%

VOT

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -1.91%
• 6M: 7.03%
• YTD: 6.22%
• 1Y: 4.08%
• 3Y*: 12.46%
• 5Y*: 4.89%
• 10Y*: 11.66%
• ALL TIME*: 9.96%

*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)
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	$53.27M	$59.32M	$61.74M
VXF Vanguard Extended Market ETF	$71.64M	$76.55M	$103.41M

VXF vs. VOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VXF Vanguard Extended Market ETF	13.55%	11.40%	16.89%	25.51%	-26.52%	12.31%	32.45%	27.96%	-9.34%	18.06%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	6.22%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VXF and VOT is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2006	0.94

The correlation between VXF and VOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VXF vs. VOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VXF	VOT
Industrials	19.6%	26.7%
Technology	19.2%	33.8%
Financial Services	13.7%	6.0%
Healthcare	13.6%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	10.8%
Real Estate	5.6%	4.2%
Basic Materials	4.7%	1.6%
Energy	4.3%	1.8%
Communication Services	2.8%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	0.7%
Utilities	1.8%	2.9%

Return for Risk

VXF vs. VOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXF

VXF Risk / Return Rank: 52
VXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VXF Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VXF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 13
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 13
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

VXF vs. VOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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.

	VXF	VOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	0.13	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	0.30	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.03	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	0.14	+1.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.94	0.40	+6.54

VXF vs. VOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is higher than the VOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXF and VOT, 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

VXF vs. VOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXF drawdown since its inception was -58.03%, roughly equal to the maximum VOT drawdown of -60.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXF and VOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXF	VOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.03%	-60.16%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.21%	-15.96%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.92%	-21.77%	-5.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.39%	-37.19%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.72%	-37.19%	-4.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-3.52%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-9.90%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	5.42%	-2.41%

Volatility

VXF vs. VOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is 3.91%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) has a volatility of 4.19%. This indicates that VXF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXF	VOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	4.19%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	13.89%	-0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.80%	17.20%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	21.56%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.27%	21.02%	+1.25%

VXF vs. VOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VXF and VOT have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VXF vs. VOT - Dividend Comparison

VXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than VOT's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.62%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%
VXF Vanguard Extended Market ETF	1.03%	1.14%	1.09%	1.27%	1.15%	1.13%	1.07%	1.30%	1.66%	1.25%	1.43%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VXF and VOT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VXF and VOT 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, VXF or VOT?

VOT has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to VXF (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXF dropped -58.03% vs VOT's -60.16%.

Which ETF is better, VXF or VOT?

On 10-year performance, VXF leads with 11.74% vs 11.66% for VOT. Both ETFs have the same 0.05% expense ratio. On volatility, VXF has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VXF or VOT?

Over the 10-year period, VXF has performed better with a 11.74% return vs 11.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXF or VOT?

VXF and VOT have the same expense ratio: 0.05% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VXF or VOT?

VXF has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.62% for VOT.

What is the main difference between VXF and VOT?

VXF is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while VOT is Mid Cap Growth Equities. VXF tracks S&P Completion Index, while VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 0.13), 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.