Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
VUG vs VOO
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF against Vanguard S&P 500 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 $2,065 for VOO, a difference of $296. VUG’s 3-year return was 91.2%, compared with 83.6% for VOO, reflecting stronger growth-stock performance. That outperformance came with higher risk: VUG’s 12-month volatility was 18.0% versus 12.7% for VOO, and its worst drawdown was -22.8% versus -18.7%. VUG also had greater sensitivity to market moves, rising or falling 1.28% for each 1% move in VOO. The funds were highly correlated at 0.958, while their identical 0.03% expense ratios mean cost did not explain the difference. VOO performed better in several recent periods, including six months and YTD, highlighting that VUG’s advantage was not consistent.
- 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.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($665); 50-day at $705.
- RSI 42, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 14, so the trend is weak.
Head to head
Which has returned more, VUG or VOO?
VUG beat VOO in 27 of the last 48 months; VOO won the other 21. The typical monthly gap was 1.42 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
Both: Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.958
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 1.28
- VUG move per 1% in VOO
- 0.952
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 1.42 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | VUG | VOO | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2023 | +5.2% | +0.5% | +4.68 pts |
| January 2023 | +10.4% | +6.3% | +4.10 pts |
| March 2023 | +7.8% | +3.7% | +4.04 pts |
| April 2026 | +14.3% | +10.6% | +3.70 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 VUG and VOO?
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