VXRT vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VXRT (Vaxart, Inc.) is a stock, while VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 5 years, VXRT returned -38.59%/yr vs 15.11%/yr for VUG. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VXRT vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXRT achieves a 73.24% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return.

VXRT

• 1D: -3.21%
• 1M: -20.81%
• YTD: 73.24%
• 6M: 65.77%
• 1Y: 43.98%
• 3Y*: -21.91%
• 5Y*: -38.59%
• 10Y*: —

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

VXRT vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VXRT Vaxart, Inc.	73.24%	-47.68%	15.59%	-40.39%	-84.67%	9.81%	1,529.10%	-81.36%	-78.64%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VXRT and VUG is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2018	0.22

The correlation between VXRT and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (1 year) to 0.35 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VXRT vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXRT

VXRT Risk / Return Rank: 60
VXRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VXRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VXRT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VXRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VXRT Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

VXRT vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vaxart, Inc. (VXRT) 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.

	VXRT	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	1.77	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	2.40	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.31	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	1.69	-0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.22	5.92	-4.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VXRT vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VXRT Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VXRT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VXRT	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41	1.77	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.42	0.68	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.21	0.62	-0.83

Drawdowns

VXRT vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXRT drawdown since its inception was -98.71%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXRT and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXRT	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.71%	-50.68%	-48.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-57.26%	-16.53%	-40.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.72%	-22.85%	-55.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-96.94%	-35.61%	-61.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-97.43%	-1.51%	-95.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-82.93%	-7.09%	-75.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	36.29%	4.71%	+31.58%

Volatility

VXRT vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Vaxart, Inc. (VXRT) has a higher volatility of 20.22% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that VXRT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VXRT	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.22%	3.83%	+16.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	76.58%	12.11%	+64.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	107.14%	15.84%	+91.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	93.04%	22.22%	+70.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	128.87%	21.44%	+107.43%

Dividends

VXRT vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

VXRT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%
VXRT Vaxart, Inc.	0.00%	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 VXRT and VUG in my portfolio?

VXRT and VUG have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VXRT or VUG?

VXRT has higher volatility (20.22%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXRT dropped -98.71% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.41), 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.