Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
VIG vs VUG
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF against Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
VUG did better over the period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 grew to $2,361, versus $1,751 for VIG. Its 136.1% total return exceeded VIG’s 75.1% return by 61.0 percentage points, reflecting stronger growth exposure. That outperformance came with substantially higher risk: VUG’s 12-month volatility was 18.0% versus 10.0% for VIG, and its worst drawdown was -22.8% versus -15.0%. VUG also led in 29 of the last 48 months, while VIG led in 19. VIG’s lower volatility, smaller drawdown, and modestly higher 1-year return (+14.2% versus +8.7%) may appeal more to investors prioritizing smoother results, while VUG’s stronger 3-year performance (+91.2% versus +64.1%) came with greater fluctuations. Both had high positive correlation, but VIG moved only 0.48% for each 1% move in VUG, indicating lower sensitivity.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($230); 50-day at $239.
- RSI 61, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 28, so the trend is strong.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($84); 50-day at $89.
- RSI 37, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 23, so the trend is developing.
Head to head
Which has returned more, VIG or VUG?
VIG beat VUG in 19 of the last 48 months; VUG won the other 29. The typical monthly gap was 2.69 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
Both: Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.779
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 0.48
- VIG move per 1% in VUG
- 0.615
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 2.69 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | VIG | VUG | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | +4.2% | -3.7% | +7.92 pts |
| April 2026 | +6.3% | +14.3% | -7.90 pts |
| May 2023 | -2.7% | +5.2% | -7.89 pts |
| January 2023 | +2.9% | +10.4% | -7.48 pts |
Where the numbers come from. 1000 daily adjusted closes per fund from the Kavout market-data API, dividends included. Signals and indicators are Kavout’s own, refreshed nightly. Every figure is calculated from those adjusted closes.
Holdings and fees
What do you actually own with VIG and VUG?
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