WM vs. VUG

Last updated Jul 2, 2026

WM (Waste Management, 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 10 years, WM returned 14.98%/yr vs 17.95%/yr for VUG. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WM vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Waste Management, Inc. (WM) 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, WM achieves a 2.84% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 6.21% return. Over the past 10 years, WM has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 14.98%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.95% annualized return.

WM

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 5.90%
• YTD: 2.84%
• 6M: 2.84%
• 1Y: -0.49%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 14.98%

VUG

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -4.46%
• YTD: 6.21%
• 6M: 6.21%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 22.87%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: 17.95%

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

WM vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WM Waste Management, Inc.	2.84%	10.50%	14.28%	16.20%	-4.49%	43.82%	5.46%	30.45%	5.32%	24.46%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	6.21%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between WM and VUG is -0.28, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.45

The correlation between WM and VUG shifts across timeframes, from -0.28 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WM vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

WM

WM Risk / Return Rank: 40
WM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
WM Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
WM Omega Ratio Rank: 35
WM Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
WM Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 33
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

WM vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Waste Management, Inc. (WM) 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.

	WM	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	1.16	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.10	1.64	-1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.21	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.03	1.19	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.06	3.98	-4.04

WM vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WM Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WM 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

WM vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WM drawdown since its inception was -77.85%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WM and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	WM	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.85%	-50.68%	-27.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.70%	-16.53%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.14%	-22.85%	+4.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.14%	-35.61%	+17.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.07%	-35.61%	+5.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.34%	-4.46%	-3.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.67%	-7.09%	-10.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.78%	4.95%	+2.83%

Volatility

WM vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is 6.67%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.35%. This indicates that WM 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

	WM	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.67%	7.35%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.32%	13.68%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.20%	17.06%	+2.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.68%	22.42%	-3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.56%	21.50%	-1.94%

Dividends

WM vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

WM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, 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%
WM Waste Management, Inc.	1.58%	1.50%	1.49%	1.56%	1.66%	1.38%	1.85%	1.80%	2.09%	1.97%	2.31%	2.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WM and VUG in my portfolio?

WM and VUG have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WM or VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (7.35%) compared to WM (6.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WM dropped -77.85% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 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.