Relative Intelligence · US Large-Cap Growth
How Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives
Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on VONG alone. It places VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where VONG stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.
Period covered: VONG's full trading record, from September 2010 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.
Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.
This page answers the following questions about VONG
Key findings
Not AI-generatedThese key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.
- What you're buying56% of VONG sits in technology, against 38% for the S&P 500. A correlation of 0.99 with VUG (Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF) over 5 years: effectively the same bet as the larger fund. Consistency ↓
- Right nowOver the past 6 months, VONG rose 0.5% against 8.0% for the S&P 500 and 7.8% for the Nasdaq 100. Even so, VONG has bounced back 21.1% from its April 2025 low after a 23.3% loss from December 2024 to April 2025 after falling while the S&P 500 fell 17.7%. At a glance ↓
- Fund or market?VONG fell 0.6% over the past 3 months even as the S&P 500 rose 2.5%. Its similar funds did not move as one over the past 3 months: VUG (Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF) rose 1.8%, while SPMO (Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF) fell 7.3%.
- Long termVONG turned $10,000 into $50,700 over the past decade, against $41,600 in the S&P 500. Even so, over 5 years VONG trailed the index: 71.1% against 80.3%. Growth of $10,000 ↓
- In a crashIn the 2022 bear market, VONG fell 31.2%, against 24.5% for the S&P 500. That was more than SPMO (Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF, 22.7%) but less than QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1, 33.4%). VONG fell further than the S&P 500 in two of the last three sell-offs, including the 2022 bear market (31.2% against 24.5%). Crash tests ↓
- DiversificationVONG is more of the same, not a cushion: a correlation of 0.94 with the S&P 500 over 5 years and 0.94 with the total US market, more closely than 90% of ETFs with at least $100 million in assets. When the S&P 500 had a down month, VONG usually fell with it (18 of 22 months). By year ↓
- Better options
- Popular alternatives
- VONV (Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF) matched VONG's return over the past 5 years (11.6% a year against 11.3%) with 33% less volatility.
- Nearby categories and themes
- AVLV (Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF, US large-cap value) and FFLC (Fidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF, active core equity) earned more than VONG with less volatility over the past 5 years. AVLV returned 13.9% a year at 16.9% volatility, against 11.3% a year at 21.8%.
- Versus the S&P 500
- Simply owning the S&P 500 would have done better over the past 5 years: 12.5% a year at 17.2% volatility, against 11.3% at 21.8% for VONG.
How much would $10,000 in VONG have grown?
This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in VONG over the past 16 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of VONG over the same span and VONG's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.
Note: VONG began trading on September 22, 2010, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or the 2010 flash crash. It covers the most recent 16 years of VONG's record, starting at the end of September 2010.
- $10,000 invested in VONG at the end of September 2010 would have grown to $117,107 by September 2026, more than the $88,503 it would have become in SPY, an S&P 500 fund.
- Six of the eight other investments on the chart ended ahead of VONG, and VGT finished highest, at $211,913.
Choose a period
From the end of September 2010 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 294 of the 2,052 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VONG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- VGT$211,913+2,019% total · +21.0% a year
- QQQ$172,922+1,629% total · +19.5% a year
- IWY$130,315+1,203% total · +17.4% a year
- MGK$127,620+1,176% total · +17.3% a year
- SCHG$124,338+1,143% total · +17.1% a year
- SPYG$117,670+1,077% total · +16.7% a year
- VONG$117,107+1,071% total · +16.6% a year
- VUG$115,528+1,055% total · +16.5% a year
- IUSG$111,154+1,012% total · +16.2% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$88,503+785% total · +14.6% a year
From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 915 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VONG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.
- SPMO$26,579+166% total · +21.6% a year
- VGT$25,874+159% total · +20.9% a year
- PWB$22,086+121% total · +17.2% a year
- QQQ$21,295+113% total · +16.3% a year
- MGK$20,216+102% total · +15.1% a year
- SCHG$19,862+98.6% total · +14.7% a year
- AVLV$19,653+96.5% total · +14.5% a year
- VUG$19,143+91.4% total · +13.9% a year
- SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
- VONG$18,913+89.1% total · +13.6% a year
VONG at a glance
This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.
Note: VONG began trading on September 22, 2010, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or the 2010 flash crash.
- VONG's deepest decline since it began trading in 2010 was 32.7%, from December 2021 to October 2022. It took 14 months from the low to climb back to its old high.
- Over 15 full calendar years, VONG's best was 2023, when it returned 42.7%, and its worst was 2022, when it lost 29.2%. It lost money in two of those years.
- VONG is 7.1% below its all-time high.
The fund
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Began trading
- September 2010
- Expense ratio
- 0.06%per year
- Assets
- $56B
- Category
- Broad Market
Returns
- Past 1 year
- +2.9%total return
- Past 3 years
- +84.2%+22.6% a year
- Past 5 years
- +71.1%+11.3% a year
- Past 10 years
- +407%+17.6% a year
- Best calendar year
- +42.7%2023
- Worst calendar year
- −29.2%2022
- Losing years
- 2 of 15full calendar years
Risk
- Volatility
- 21.8%typical yearly swing, 5 years
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.60return per unit of risk, 5 years
- Worst decline ever
- −32.7%Dec 2021 to Oct 2022
- From its all-time high
- −7.1%below the peak
VONG against the whole market
Where VONG ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.
How does VONG rank among all ETFs?
This section ranks VONG on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how VONG stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.
- VONG's 10-year return ranks in the top 4% of the 958 ETFs with at least $100 million in assets with 10 years of history.
- VONG is among the more volatile ETFs: its price swings rank in the bottom 21% of the 1,563 ETFs with at least $100 million in assets, where the top is the calmest.
Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.
| Measure | VONG | Rank | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +2.9% | 1,758 of 2,488 | bottom 30% |
| 3-year return | +84.2% | 464 of 1,950 | top 24% |
| 5-year return | +71.1% | 365 of 1,563 | top 23% |
| 10-year return | +407% | 34 of 958 | top 4% |
| Volatility, 5 years | 21.8% | 1,243 of 1,563 | bottom 21% |
| Sharpe ratio, 5 years | 0.60 | 703 of 1,563 | top 45% |
| Worst decline, past 10 years | −32.7% | 248 of 951 | top 26% |
What has beaten VONG on both return and risk?
Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). VONG sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than VONG with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.
- 17 stocks and 111 ETFs worth at least $500 million sit in the green region: each earned more than VONG over the past 5 years with smaller price swings. That is 4% of the 3,641 screened.
- Among those with at least half VONG's swings, LVHI has the best return for its risk: 16.9% a year at 11.1% volatility, 49% less than VONG's 21.8%, and a Sharpe ratio (return above cash per unit of volatility) of 1.48 against 0.60 for VONG. DXJ earned the most, 26.6% a year, while still swinging less than VONG (19.1% against 21.8%).
- None of VONG's popular alternatives made it, but PVAL (US large-cap value) did: 15.9% a year at 15.1% volatility, 31% less than VONG's 21.8%.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to VONG; faint dots are 61 more of the 128 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.
- Popular alternatives
- Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
- The whole market
- Others in the green region
Is there a better investment than VONG?
Investments that beat VONG over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.
- Among VONG's popular alternatives, VONV matched VONG's return over the past 5 years (11.6% a year against 11.3%) with 33% less volatility.
- VUG tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against VONG's 0.06%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $30 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.
- Looking beyond its popular alternatives, AVLV (US large-cap value) and FFLC (active core equity) earned more than VONG with less volatility over the past 5 years. AVLV returned 13.9% a year at 16.9% volatility, against 11.3% a year at 21.8%.
How this works
The table below lists investments that beat VONG over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks VONG's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than VONG follows the table.
Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than VONG's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× VONG's volatility counts as better.
These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than VONG's.
| Investment | Why it is better | Past 5 years | Downside | Long run | Fit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual return?higher is better | Volatility?lower is calmer | Sharpe?return per unit of risk | Worst decline?past 10 years | 10Y returntotal | Corr. with VONG?lower diversifies more | Expenseper year | |||
| VONGVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF · this page | +11.3% | 21.8% | 0.60 | −32.7% | +407% | 1.00 | 0.06% | ||
 SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500 | +12.5% | 17.2% | 0.78 | −33.7% | +316% | 0.94 | 0.09% | ||
| Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against VONG. 16 of 22 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 VUGVanguard Morningstar Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth | Higher return in most periodsSame exposure, lower expense ratio | +11.9% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −35.6% | +407% | 0.99 | 0.03% | |
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +18.1% | 20.9% | 0.91 | −30.9% | +485% | 0.81 | 0.13% | |
VONVVanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +11.6% | 14.7% | 0.83 | −38.2% | +210% | 0.68 | 0.06% | |
VONEVanguard Russell 1000 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +11.8% | 17.2% | 0.74 | −34.7% | +308% | 0.94 | 0.06% | |
 VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity | Higher return in most periods | +18.1% | 26.1% | 0.77 | −35.1% | +753% | 0.96 | 0.09% | |
PWBInvesco Large Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth | Higher return in most periods | +14.0% | 22.3% | 0.70 | −32.4% | +389% | 0.93 | 0.55% | |
| Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in US Large-Cap Growth and US Large-Cap Equity and the categories next to it (US Large-Cap Value, US Quality Equity, US Growth Equity, US Total Market), plus VONG's specific themes. 86 of 126 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.9% | 16.9% | 0.86 | −19.5% | — | 0.72 | 0.15% | |
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Active Core Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +15.5% | 16.8% | 0.94 | −19.7% | — | 0.83 | 0.38% | |
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.7% | 16.2% | 0.88 | −23.8% | — | 0.92 | 0.49% | |
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +16.2% | 18.4% | 0.91 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.69 | 0.15% | |
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +13.5% | 18.9% | 0.77 | −30.5% | +369% | 0.98 | 0.20% | |
JVALJPMorgan U.S. Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +12.1% | 17.2% | 0.76 | −40.4% | — | 0.80 | 0.12% | |
| The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 375 of 3,513 passed at least one test. | |||||||||
 JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +13.5% | 18.0% | 0.80 | −27.4% | +209% | 0.00 | — | |
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value | Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.44 | 0.27% | |
 RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +17.5% | 18.2% | 0.98 | −40.0% | +361% | 0.45 | — | |
 WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail | Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods | +21.1% | 22.6% | 0.97 | −25.7% | +521% | 0.39 | — | |
 MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream | On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods | +24.0% | 18.8% | 1.25 | −75.2% | +337% | 0.28 | — | |
 WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs | On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods | +27.0% | 23.8% | 1.13 | −63.3% | +378% | 0.35 | — | |
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · US Equity Buffer | On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline | +10.4% | 8.6% | 1.20 | −18.2% | — | 0.87 | 0.79% | |
BFCBank First Corporation · Regional Banks | Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes | +18.7% | 27.4% | 0.76 | −39.8% | +485% | 0.19 | — | |
What these numbers mean for VONG
- Annual return
- VONG returned 11.3% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,100. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
- Volatility
- VONG's volatility over the past 5 years was 21.8%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VONG's return lands within 21.8% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
- Sharpe ratio
- VONG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.60, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so VONG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
- Worst decline
- VONG's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 32.7%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 32.7% fall takes a 48.6% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
- Correlation
- Over the past 5 years, VONG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.94 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against VONG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VONG holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 128 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than VONG with less volatility
Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 72 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.
| # | Investment | Found in | Annual return | Volatility | Sharpe | Worst decline | 10Y return | Corr. with VONG | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +13.5% | 18.0% | 0.80 | −27.4% | +209% | 0.00 | — |
| 2 | DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +14.8% | 16.4% | 0.93 | −25.4% | — | 0.44 | 0.27% |
| 3 | RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks | Whole market | +17.5% | 18.2% | 0.98 | −40.0% | +361% | 0.45 | — |
| 4 | AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +13.9% | 16.9% | 0.86 | −19.5% | — | 0.72 | 0.15% |
| 5 | MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +24.0% | 18.8% | 1.25 | −75.2% | +337% | 0.28 | — |
| 6 | BKLCBNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Same or nearby category | +13.6% | 17.3% | 0.83 | −26.2% | — | 0.96 | 0.00% |
| 7 | FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Active Core Equity | Same or nearby category | +15.5% | 16.8% | 0.94 | −19.7% | — | 0.83 | 0.38% |
| 8 | EFIVState Street SPDR S&P 500 ESG ETF · Large-Cap ESG | Whole market | +13.0% | 17.1% | 0.81 | −24.5% | — | 0.93 | 0.10% |
| 9 | DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity | Whole market | +26.6% | 19.1% | 1.34 | −39.1% | +415% | 0.46 | 0.48% |
| 10 |  KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages | Whole market | +15.2% | 16.8% | 0.93 | −37.0% | +205% | 0.09 | — |
| 11 | LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity | Whole market | +16.9% | 11.1% | 1.48 | −32.4% | +194% | 0.32 | 0.40% |
| 12 |  TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks | Whole market | +16.5% | 20.0% | 0.87 | −42.0% | +319% | 0.40 | — |
| 13 |  BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks | Whole market | +13.2% | 20.0% | 0.73 | −46.9% | +191% | 0.62 | — |
| 14 |  RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management | Whole market | +14.1% | 18.6% | 0.80 | −34.0% | +461% | 0.26 | — |
| 15 | SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities | Whole market | +21.1% | 18.4% | 1.14 | −45.7% | — | -0.03 | 0.80% |
| 16 |  GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold | Whole market | +17.1% | 19.0% | 0.93 | −26.4% | +206% | 0.09 | 0.40% |
| 17 | TPYPTortoise North American Pipeline ETF · Energy Infrastructure | Whole market | +17.2% | 17.3% | 1.01 | −51.9% | +188% | 0.32 | 0.40% |
| 18 | FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Large-Cap Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 16.3% | 0.87 | −40.2% | +193% | 0.53 | 0.25% |
| 19 | VYMIVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.2% | 14.8% | 0.92 | −40.0% | +174% | 0.47 | 0.07% |
| 20 | AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 17.4% | 0.82 | −43.0% | — | 0.54 | 0.36% |
| 21 | IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +15.6% | 17.2% | 0.94 | −31.4% | +357% | 0.91 | 0.40% |
| 22 | FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · High Dividend Yield | Whole market | +14.6% | 14.5% | 1.02 | −41.4% | +207% | 0.31 | 0.43% |
| 23 | PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +15.9% | 15.1% | 1.06 | −41.3% | — | 0.69 | 0.56% |
| 24 | VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +16.2% | 18.4% | 0.91 | −39.5% | +286% | 0.69 | 0.15% |
| 25 | WTVWisdomTree U.S. Value Fund · US Value Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 17.0% | 0.84 | −42.2% | +306% | 0.67 | 0.12% |
| 26 | XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Same or nearby category | +13.5% | 18.9% | 0.77 | −30.5% | +369% | 0.98 | 0.20% |
| 27 | DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield | Whole market | +14.6% | 15.5% | 0.96 | −36.9% | — | 0.67 | 0.05% |
| 28 | EWPiShares MSCI Spain ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +19.2% | 20.3% | 0.97 | −46.4% | +190% | 0.37 | 0.50% |
| 29 | PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +13.7% | 14.2% | 0.98 | −37.6% | +226% | 0.53 | 0.55% |
| 30 | IHEiShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals | Whole market | +12.9% | 16.8% | 0.81 | −29.6% | +157% | 0.31 | 0.37% |
| 31 | FNDBSchwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF · US Total Market | Same or nearby category | +13.1% | 15.1% | 0.90 | −38.1% | +285% | 0.74 | 0.25% |
| 32 | RDIVInvesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.7% | 17.4% | 0.78 | −50.0% | +187% | 0.41 | 0.39% |
| 33 | VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +14.5% | 17.6% | 0.86 | −41.3% | — | 0.67 | 0.18% |
| 34 | USXFiShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF · Large-Cap ESG | Whole market | +12.7% | 20.2% | 0.69 | −29.6% | — | 0.94 | 0.10% |
| 35 | FVALFidelity Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +12.6% | 16.4% | 0.81 | −37.3% | +290% | 0.84 | 0.15% |
| 36 | DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · Japan Equity | Whole market | +20.9% | 19.3% | 1.09 | −31.3% | +339% | 0.62 | 0.45% |
| 37 | EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · Japan Equity | Whole market | +15.1% | 18.2% | 0.87 | −30.1% | — | 0.40 | 0.15% |
| 38 | DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +13.9% | 15.1% | 0.95 | −34.4% | +260% | 0.68 | 0.50% |
| 39 | FYLDCambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity | Whole market | +13.1% | 16.0% | 0.86 | −44.6% | +203% | 0.39 | 0.59% |
| 40 | FDDFirst Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund · International Equity | Whole market | +12.5% | 18.5% | 0.73 | −41.4% | +174% | 0.40 | 0.56% |
| 41 | FIVAFidelity International Value Factor ETF · International Large-Cap Value | Whole market | +13.1% | 16.4% | 0.83 | −39.7% | — | 0.52 | 0.18% |
| 42 | NXTGFirst Trust Indxx NextG ETF · Technology Equity | Whole market | +16.1% | 19.1% | 0.88 | −33.6% | +323% | 0.78 | 0.70% |
| 43 | GVALCambria Global Value ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +14.2% | 18.7% | 0.81 | −46.8% | +168% | 0.39 | 0.68% |
| 44 |  BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance | Whole market | +13.5% | 17.2% | 0.83 | −30.4% | +281% | 0.33 | — |
| 45 | SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity | Same or nearby category | +12.9% | 12.7% | 1.02 | −18.4% | — | 0.63 | 0.31% |
| 46 |  CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +15.8% | 20.4% | 0.82 | −42.6% | +256% | 0.07 | — |
| 47 |  EPDEnterprise Products Partners L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream | Whole market | +16.3% | 17.1% | 0.98 | −58.1% | +178% | 0.23 | — |
| 48 |  AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.8% | 20.2% | 0.70 | −32.9% | +192% | 0.21 | — |
| 49 |  EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +12.7% | 18.9% | 0.73 | −30.9% | +123% | 0.04 | — |
| 50 | ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +15.9% | 18.5% | 0.90 | −32.9% | +207% | 0.30 | — |
| 51 | LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance | Whole market | +15.0% | 19.2% | 0.83 | −48.5% | +190% | 0.24 | — |
| 52 | NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities | Whole market | +15.5% | 20.3% | 0.81 | −30.9% | +166% | 0.31 | — |
| 53 | AMLPAlerian MLP ETF · Energy Equity | Whole market | +16.4% | 18.9% | 0.90 | −72.9% | +90.8% | 0.28 | 1.01% |
| 54 | FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield | Whole market | +13.4% | 14.6% | 0.94 | −40.2% | +255% | 0.73 | 0.15% |
| 55 | PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities | Whole market | +14.6% | 19.9% | 0.79 | −39.3% | +110% | 0.17 | — |
| 56 | DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 13.8% | 0.95 | −32.5% | +204% | 0.68 | 0.35% |
| 57 | ITAiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense | Whole market | +14.4% | 20.4% | 0.77 | −51.0% | +253% | 0.47 | 0.37% |
| 58 | IDViShares International Select Dividend ETF · International Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.7% | 15.5% | 0.85 | −42.5% | +159% | 0.37 | 0.50% |
| 59 | EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure | Whole market | +15.2% | 14.5% | 1.06 | −43.6% | +155% | 0.41 | 0.95% |
| 60 | GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · Global Equity | Whole market | +14.4% | 13.6% | 1.06 | −37.6% | +170% | 0.28 | 0.60% |
| 61 | MGVVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value | Same or nearby category | +12.8% | 13.4% | 0.96 | −35.4% | +247% | 0.62 | 0.05% |
| 62 | IDMOInvesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF · International Equity | Whole market | +12.8% | 18.3% | 0.76 | −31.3% | +224% | 0.68 | 0.25% |
| 63 | FTGCFirst Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund · Broad Commodities | Whole market | +13.1% | 15.6% | 0.87 | −35.9% | +135% | 0.03 | 0.98% |
| 64 | JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity | Same or nearby category | +13.5% | 15.7% | 0.89 | −32.9% | — | 0.88 | 0.12% |
| 65 | HDEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF · International Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.9% | 14.2% | 0.93 | −36.4% | +135% | 0.36 | 0.09% |
| 66 | DHSWisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund · High Dividend Yield | Whole market | +12.4% | 13.9% | 0.91 | −37.4% | +159% | 0.35 | 0.38% |
| 67 | AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · US Multifactor Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 13.6% | 1.01 | −44.2% | — | 0.53 | 0.27% |
| 68 | HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Faith-Based Equity | Whole market | +13.6% | 18.0% | 0.80 | −33.6% | — | 0.95 | 0.50% |
| 69 | DOLWisdomTree True Developed International Fund · International Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.4% | 15.6% | 0.83 | −36.0% | +139% | 0.53 | 0.48% |
| 70 | QDEFNorthern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF · US Dividend Equity | Whole market | +12.6% | 13.7% | 0.94 | −35.7% | +228% | 0.80 | 0.40% |
| 71 | DJDInvesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield | Whole market | +12.5% | 13.3% | 0.95 | −34.7% | +233% | 0.51 | 0.07% |
| 72 | FDUSFidus Investment Corporation · Business Development Companies | Whole market | +13.6% | 20.4% | 0.73 | −68.7% | +262% | 0.50 | — |
VONG against its popular alternatives
The investments people most often weigh against VONG, compared period by period and year by year.
How do VONG's risk and return compare with its alternatives?
This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at VONG, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.
- Five of the 19 popular alternatives, led by SPMO, SPYG and IUSG, were both more rewarding and calmer than VONG over the past 5 years, earning a higher annual return with lower volatility.
- Over the past 5 years, VONG returned 11.3% a year, less than the S&P 500's 12.5%, with higher volatility (21.8% against 17.2%).
Green points earned more than VONG with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.
All figures
| Investment | Annual return | Volatility |
|---|---|---|
| SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | +18.1% | 20.9% |
| VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | +18.1% | 26.1% |
| QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | +14.2% | 23.0% |
| PWB Invesco Large Cap Growth ETF | +14.1% | 22.3% |
| MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF | +13.1% | 23.0% |
| SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | +12.8% | 21.6% |
| SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | +12.8% | 22.5% |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | +12.5% | 17.2% |
| IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF | +12.5% | 21.9% |
| IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | +12.4% | 21.3% |
| FBCG Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF | +11.9% | 26.2% |
| VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | +11.9% | 22.6% |
| VONE Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF | +11.8% | 17.2% |
| VONV Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF | +11.6% | 14.7% |
| VONG This pageVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | +11.3% | 21.8% |
| IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | +11.2% | 21.8% |
| RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | +8.4% | 16.1% |
| FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | +8.1% | 20.7% |
| TCHP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF | +8.1% | 23.8% |
| FDG American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF | +8.1% | 25.3% |
| VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF | +3.3% | 21.7% |
Has VONG consistently beaten its popular alternatives?
This section compares VONG with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than VONG helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.
- 16 of the 23 popular alternatives, led by MGK, SCHG and VGT, outperformed VONG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes.
- MGK, SCHG and VGT outperformed VONG in every long-term period and in all but one short-term period, the most consistent record in the group.
- SPMO, PWB and SPYG earned more for the risk they took than VONG (a higher Sharpe ratio) and fell less in their worst decline of the past 10 years.
A green cell means the alternative earned more than VONG over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpehigher is better | Worst declinepast 10 years | Expense | Assets | Overlapsame sectors | ||
| VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (this page) | — | −5.3% | −0.6% | +0.5% | +2.1% | +2.9% | +84.2% | +71.1% | +407% | 21.8% | 0.60 | −32.7% | 0.06% | $56B | — |
| MGK QualifiedVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.7% | +2.3% | +6.2% | +8.7% | +10.5% | +98.9% | +84.7% | +448% | 23.0% | 0.65 | −36.0% | 0.05% | $35B | 91% |
| SCHG QualifiedSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.7% | +2.7% | +6.6% | +7.9% | +9.4% | +95.1% | +82.4% | +438% | 22.5% | 0.65 | −34.5% | 0.04% | $63B | 96% |
| VGT QualifiedVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1% | 0.77 | −35.1% | 0.09% | $178B | 56% |
| QQQ QualifiedInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 | −35.1% | 0.18% | $492B | 88% |
| SPMO QualifiedInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −9.4% | −7.3% | +7.9% | +16.7% | +17.2% | +149% | +130% | +485% | 20.9% | 0.91 | −30.9% | 0.13% | $22B | 84% |
| VUG QualifiedVanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −4.2% | +1.8% | +5.2% | +7.9% | +9.2% | +96.1% | +75.4% | +407% | 22.6% | 0.61 | −35.6% | 0.03% | $392B | 94% |
| SPYG QualifiedState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −4.4% | +1.0% | +6.5% | +11.7% | +14.4% | +106% | +82.4% | +403% | 21.6% | 0.67 | −32.7% | 0.04% | $57B | 95% |
| VOOG QualifiedVanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −4.4% | +1.0% | +6.5% | +11.6% | +14.3% | +106% | +82.0% | +401% | 21.6% | 0.67 | −32.7% | 0.07% | $28B | 96% |
| IVW QualifiediShares S&P 500 Growth ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −4.4% | +1.0% | +6.5% | +11.5% | +14.3% | +105% | +81.3% | +398% | 21.6% | 0.66 | −32.7% | 0.18% | $77B | 95% |
| IUSG QualifiediShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −4.4% | +0.7% | +6.2% | +11.6% | +14.5% | +103% | +79.5% | +390% | 21.3% | 0.66 | −32.4% | 0.04% | $33B | 94% |
| VONE QualifiedVanguard Russell 1000 ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.4% | +7.6% | +12.3% | +15.2% | +87.6% | +74.4% | +308% | 17.2% | 0.74 | −34.7% | 0.06% | $12B | 75% |
| VONV QualifiedVanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | +2.5% | +5.1% | +15.2% | +23.5% | +28.9% | +87.4% | +73.4% | +210% | 14.7% | 0.83 | −38.2% | 0.06% | $23B | 52% |
| QQQM QualifiedInvesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 4/5 short2/3 long | −5.7% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +17.0% | +102% | +94.7% | — | 22.9% | 0.70 | −35.0% | 0.15% | $110B | 88% |
| IWY QualifiediShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF | 3/5 short2/3 long | −5.3% | −0.2% | +1.1% | +2.6% | +3.4% | +85.8% | +79.9% | +448% | 21.9% | 0.65 | −32.7% | 0.20% | $16B | 97% |
| PWB QualifiedInvesco Large Cap Growth ETF | 3/5 short2/3 long | −8.5% | −5.7% | +2.7% | +15.8% | +18.5% | +123% | +92.9% | +389% | 22.3% | 0.70 | −32.4% | 0.55% | $2.7B | — |
| FBCG QualifiedFidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF | 3/5 short2/3 long | −7.0% | −2.0% | +2.7% | +8.7% | +12.9% | +108% | +75.6% | — | 26.2% | 0.56 | −43.5% | 0.57% | $7.6B | 94% |
| CGGR Broad MarketCapital Group Growth ETF | 5/5 short1/3 long | −4.5% | +1.3% | +3.3% | +3.7% | +4.7% | +92.9% | — | — | — | — | −28.9% | 0.39% | $26B | 85% |
| FDG Broad MarketAmerican Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF | 1/5 short1/3 long | −6.7% | −1.3% | −2.3% | +0.2% | +4.2% | +108% | +47.3% | — | 25.3% | 0.43 | −43.7% | 0.45% | $457M | 78% |
| RSP Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | 5/5 short0/3 long | +2.5% | +3.0% | +8.6% | +14.5% | +16.8% | +68.3% | +49.6% | +214% | 16.1% | 0.58 | −39.0% | 0.20% | $98B | 50% |
| FTC Broad MarketFirst Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 3/5 short0/3 long | −4.7% | −4.4% | +0.6% | +5.7% | +8.0% | +83.7% | +47.9% | +264% | 20.7% | 0.48 | −34.6% | 0.58% | $1.3B | 67% |
| VOT Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF | 3/5 short0/3 long | −3.0% | −2.0% | +2.3% | +3.3% | +0.5% | +57.8% | +17.6% | +198% | 21.7% | 0.26 | −37.2% | 0.05% | $33B | 63% |
| IWF Broad MarketiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.2% | −0.6% | +0.5% | +2.1% | +2.9% | +83.6% | +70.3% | +402% | 21.8% | 0.60 | −32.7% | 0.18% | $125B | 98% |
| TCHP Broad MarketT. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.2% | −0.6% | −2.0% | −0.9% | +0.8% | +80.8% | +47.6% | — | 23.8% | 0.45 | −42.3% | 0.57% | $2.1B | 92% |
How did VONG do year by year?
This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2011, along with where VONG ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with VONG and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.
Note: VONG began trading on September 22, 2010, so the table starts with 2011, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or the 2010 flash crash.
- VONG finished ahead of the S&P 500 in eight of its 15 full calendar years, and ahead of it in each of the last three.
- Among its popular alternatives, QQQ came out ahead of VONG most often, in 11 of the 15 years both traded.
- Ranked against its popular alternatives each year, VONG finished in the top quarter in two of 15 years and in the bottom quarter in one. In 2025, it ranked 12 of 21.
Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of VONG; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places VONG among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.
| Investment | Years ahead of VONG | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VONG This pageVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | — | +18.4% | +33.2% | +42.7% | −29.2% | +27.6% | +38.3% | +36.0% | −1.6% | +30.1% | +7.0% | +5.6% | +12.9% | +33.2% | +15.2% | +2.4% |
| Rank among alternatives | Top quarter in 2 of 15 | 12 of 21 | 9 of 21 | 9 of 21 | 9 of 20 | 8 of 20 | 7 of 17 | 6 of 17 | 9 of 17 | 5 of 17 | 10 of 17 | 4 of 16 | 14 of 16 | 7 of 16 | 11 of 16 | 5 of 16 |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 5 of 15 | +17.7% | +24.9% | +26.2% | −18.2% | +28.7% | +18.3% | +31.2% | −4.6% | +21.7% | +12.0% | +1.2% | +13.5% | +32.3% | +16.0% | +1.9% |
| MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF | 8 of 15 | +20.7% | +32.9% | +51.7% | −33.6% | +28.6% | +40.9% | +37.4% | −2.9% | +29.6% | +6.6% | +3.7% | +13.6% | +32.6% | +17.3% | +3.2% |
| SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | 6 of 15 | +17.4% | +34.9% | +50.1% | −31.8% | +28.1% | +39.1% | +35.9% | −1.3% | +27.4% | +8.9% | +3.4% | +15.9% | +34.4% | +16.5% | −0.6% |
| VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 9 of 15 | +21.8% | +29.3% | +52.7% | −29.7% | +30.5% | +46.0% | +48.6% | +2.4% | +37.1% | +13.7% | +5.0% | +18.1% | +30.9% | +14.0% | +0.6% |
| QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 11 of 15 | +20.8% | +25.6% | +54.9% | −32.6% | +27.4% | +48.6% | +39.0% | −0.1% | +32.7% | +7.1% | +9.4% | +19.2% | +36.6% | +18.1% | +3.4% |
| SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 4 of 10 | +26.6% | +45.8% | +17.6% | −10.4% | +22.7% | +28.2% | +25.9% | −0.9% | +27.8% | +7.4% | — | — | — | — | — |
| VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | 5 of 15 | +19.4% | +32.7% | +46.8% | −33.1% | +27.4% | +40.2% | +37.0% | −3.3% | +27.8% | +6.2% | +3.3% | +13.6% | +32.6% | +17.1% | +1.8% |
| SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | 6 of 15 | +22.1% | +36.0% | +30.0% | −29.4% | +32.0% | +33.4% | +30.8% | −0.1% | +27.3% | +6.9% | +5.1% | +14.8% | +32.5% | +14.3% | +4.6% |
| IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | 4 of 15 | +21.2% | +34.7% | +29.3% | −28.8% | +31.3% | +32.6% | +30.6% | −0.8% | +27.0% | +7.3% | +5.0% | +12.4% | +34.0% | +14.9% | +1.9% |
| VONE Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF | 3 of 15 | +17.2% | +24.5% | +26.4% | −19.1% | +26.5% | +20.9% | +31.1% | −4.8% | +21.5% | +11.8% | +0.7% | +13.3% | +33.0% | +16.2% | +1.5% |
| VONV Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF | 3 of 15 | +15.8% | +14.3% | +11.4% | −7.6% | +25.3% | +2.7% | +26.5% | −8.5% | +13.6% | +17.1% | −3.8% | +13.2% | +32.6% | +16.7% | +0.4% |
| IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF | 8 of 15 | +18.2% | +34.9% | +46.5% | −29.9% | +31.1% | +39.0% | +36.2% | −0.7% | +31.7% | +6.9% | +7.9% | +13.4% | +32.4% | +14.6% | +4.6% |
| PWB Invesco Large Cap Growth ETF | 7 of 15 | +24.9% | +31.0% | +30.6% | −25.8% | +19.6% | +31.9% | +24.7% | +0.9% | +30.7% | +2.9% | +7.7% | +13.6% | +37.4% | +18.7% | +0.1% |
| FBCG Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF | 2 of 5 | +18.6% | +39.0% | +58.0% | −39.1% | +21.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CGGR Capital Group Growth ETF | 1 of 3 | +19.8% | +32.1% | +42.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FDG American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF | 2 of 5 | +22.1% | +45.9% | +37.2% | −35.7% | +8.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | 6 of 15 | +11.2% | +12.8% | +13.7% | −11.6% | +29.4% | +12.7% | +28.9% | −7.8% | +18.5% | +14.5% | −1.7% | +15.1% | +36.7% | +18.6% | +0.2% |
| FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 3 of 15 | +15.9% | +26.6% | +20.7% | −23.3% | +24.4% | +33.3% | +28.1% | −6.0% | +25.3% | +2.6% | +4.3% | +14.3% | +37.8% | +10.1% | −2.8% |
| VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF | 2 of 15 | +10.7% | +16.4% | +23.1% | −28.9% | +20.5% | +34.5% | +33.8% | −5.6% | +21.8% | +6.9% | −1.1% | +13.5% | +32.4% | +16.0% | −3.9% |
| IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 0 of 15 | +18.3% | +33.1% | +42.6% | −29.3% | +27.4% | +38.3% | +35.9% | −1.7% | +29.9% | +7.0% | +5.5% | +12.7% | +33.2% | +15.2% | +2.3% |
| TCHP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF | 2 of 5 | +18.4% | +36.1% | +50.1% | −37.8% | +18.1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Risk and diversification
How VONG has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.
What were VONG's worst declines?
A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents VONG's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2010, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.
Note: VONG began trading on September 22, 2010, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or the 2010 flash crash. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.
- In three of VONG's five worst declines, the S&P 500 held up better over the same dates.
- The longest climb back to a previous high took 14 months, after VONG fell 32.7% from December 2021 to October 2022.
Green means VONG fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.
| During | VONG fell | S&P 500, same dates | Peak | Low | Time to the low | Back at the peak | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 bear market | −32.7% | −24.2% | Dec 2021 | Oct 2022 | 10 months | Dec 2023 | 14 months |
| Covid crash | −31.7% | −33.7% | Feb 2020 | Mar 2020 | 1 month | Jun 2020 | 3 months |
| No named crash | −23.3% | −17.7% | Dec 2024 | Apr 2025 | 4 months | Jun 2025 | 2 months |
| Late-2018 sell-off | −22.0% | −19.2% | Oct 2018 | Dec 2018 | 2 months | Apr 2019 | 4 months |
| 2011 euro debt crisis | −18.0% | −18.4% | Jul 2011 | Oct 2011 | 3 months | Feb 2012 | 4 months |
How did VONG do in stock market crashes?
This section measures how far VONG, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.
Note: VONG began trading on September 22, 2010, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or the 2010 flash crash. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.
- Among its popular alternatives, SPMO held up best, falling less than VONG in three of the five crashes they both traded through.
- VONG began trading after the 2008 financial crisis, but ten of its popular alternatives lived through it. The mildest fall among them was VUG's 50.7%, against 55.2% for the S&P 500.
- VONG fell further than the S&P 500 in three of the seven crashes it has traded through. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when VONG fell 31.2% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.
Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than VONG.
| Investment | Held up better | 2023 regional bank crisisMar 2023 | 2022 bear marketJan 2022 | Covid crashFeb 2020 | Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018 | February 2018 volatility shockFeb 2018 | 2015 China and oil sell-offAug 2015 | 2011 euro debt crisisJul 2011 | 2010 flash crashMay 2010 | 2008 financial crisisOct 2007 | Dot-com bustMar 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VONG This pageVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | — | −3.5% | −31.2% | −31.7% | −22.0% | −6.4% | −13.4% | −17.8% | Not yet trading | Not yet trading | Not yet trading |
| SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 3 of 7 | −3.4% | −24.5% | −33.7% | −19.3% | −6.5% | −12.8% | −17.9% | −1.5% | −55.2% | −47.5% |
| MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF | 2 of 7 | −3.3% | −33.9% | −31.2% | −22.6% | −6.3% | −15.0% | −16.8% | −2.0% | — | — |
| SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | 0 of 7 | −3.6% | −32.2% | −32.3% | −21.6% | −6.4% | −16.2% | −20.2% | −1.8% | — | — |
| VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 0 of 7 | −3.5% | −33.6% | −31.8% | −23.7% | −6.6% | −16.4% | −18.1% | −2.1% | −54.6% | — |
| QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 2 of 7 | −3.1% | −33.4% | −28.6% | −22.7% | −6.8% | −16.1% | −16.1% | −2.5% | −53.4% | −83.0% |
| SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 3 of 5 | −2.4% | −22.7% | −30.9% | −23.4% | −6.7% | — | — | — | — | — |
| VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | 0 of 7 | −3.5% | −33.7% | −31.8% | −22.3% | −6.2% | −15.2% | −18.3% | −2.0% | −50.7% | — |
| SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | 3 of 7 | −3.0% | −31.3% | −31.3% | −20.6% | −6.4% | −13.4% | −16.3% | −2.6% | −51.3% | — |
| IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | 1 of 7 | −3.0% | −30.8% | −32.4% | −20.7% | −6.5% | −14.1% | −18.9% | −2.1% | −51.8% | — |
| VONE Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF | 2 of 7 | −3.8% | −24.9% | −34.7% | −19.7% | −6.3% | −13.5% | −18.8% | — | — | — |
| VONV Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF | 2 of 7 | −4.6% | −18.9% | −38.1% | −18.1% | −6.4% | −14.2% | −19.0% | — | — | — |
| IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF | 3 of 7 | −3.1% | −31.5% | −30.8% | −22.2% | −6.5% | −12.3% | −15.8% | −2.3% | — | — |
| PWB Invesco Large Cap Growth ETF | 2 of 7 | −3.6% | −29.1% | −32.4% | −20.5% | −6.4% | −13.8% | −20.7% | −2.0% | −52.6% | — |
| FBCG Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF | 0 of 2 | −4.6% | −38.8% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CGGR Capital Group Growth ETF | 0 of 1 | −4.6% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FDG American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF | 0 of 2 | −4.4% | −37.3% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | 2 of 7 | −5.4% | −21.4% | −39.0% | −19.8% | −6.1% | −14.8% | −21.3% | −1.6% | −59.1% | — |
| FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 1 of 7 | −4.4% | −27.3% | −34.6% | −24.7% | −6.2% | −15.1% | −20.6% | −2.6% | −54.2% | — |
| VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF | 1 of 7 | −5.2% | −32.1% | −36.2% | −21.5% | −6.2% | −20.8% | −25.0% | −2.8% | −60.2% | — |
| IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 0 of 7 | −3.4% | −31.2% | −31.5% | −21.9% | −6.4% | −13.4% | −18.2% | −2.0% | −51.2% | — |
| TCHP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF | 0 of 2 | −3.8% | −37.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How closely does VONG move with the S&P 500?
Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares VONG with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.
- SPMO took just 76% of the S&P 500's losses, against 104% for VONG, while still keeping 102% of its gains.
- Over the past 10 years, VONG captured 111% of the S&P 500's gains in rising months and 104% of its losses in falling months, with a beta of 1.10. It amplified the market's moves in both directions.
- Five of the 16 popular alternatives had a higher capture ratio (upside capture divided by downside capture) than VONG's 1.07, led by SPMO, VGT and QQQ.
Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than VONG's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.
| Investment | Upside capture | Downside capture | Capture ratio | Beta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VONG This pageVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 111% | 104% | 1.07 | 1.10 |
| SPMO Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF | 102% | 76% | 1.35 | 0.99 |
| VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 130% | 104% | 1.25 | 1.22 |
| QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 118% | 102% | 1.16 | 1.13 |
| PWB Invesco Large Cap Growth ETF | 106% | 95% | 1.12 | 1.07 |
| IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF | 113% | 102% | 1.10 | 1.09 |
| MGK Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF | 115% | 107% | 1.07 | 1.14 |
| SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | 109% | 102% | 1.07 | 1.08 |
| SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF | 114% | 107% | 1.06 | 1.12 |
| IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF | 110% | 104% | 1.06 | 1.10 |
| IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | 109% | 103% | 1.05 | 1.08 |
| VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | 113% | 108% | 1.04 | 1.13 |
| VONE Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF | 100% | 102% | 0.98 | 1.02 |
| FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 98% | 103% | 0.95 | 1.08 |
| VONV Vanguard Russell 1000 Value ETF | 88% | 99% | 0.88 | 0.93 |
| RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | 92% | 107% | 0.86 | 1.01 |
| VOT Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF | 95% | 113% | 0.84 | 1.12 |
What diversifies VONG?
Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with VONG's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing VONG with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.
- Moving a fifth of the money in VONG into GLD would have cut the portfolio's volatility by 17% over the past 5 years and raised its annual return (+13.6% for VONG alone, +15.1% for the mix).
- PBR made money in two of the two calendar years in which VONG lost money.
- Among large ETFs, LVHI, DXJ and EMLP have moved largely independently of VONG over the past 5 years, with correlations of 0.46 or lower, and each still earned a positive 5-year return.
Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which VONG lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% VONG and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.
ETFs
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2018 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (this page) | 1.00 | +71.1% | 0.60 | −29.2% | −1.6% | 19.2% | +13.6% |
| LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF | 0.32 | +119% | 1.48 | +3.8% | −5.2% | 16.1% | +14.5% |
| DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 0.46 | +225% | 1.34 | +6.0% | −19.8% | 16.7% | +16.4% |
| EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund | 0.41 | +103% | 1.06 | +10.4% | −8.7% | 16.8% | +14.3% |
| EWP Broad MarketiShares MSCI Spain ETF | 0.37 | +141% | 0.97 | −5.2% | −15.3% | 17.1% | +15.4% |
| XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.07 | +178% | 0.94 | +64.4% | −18.2% | 16.6% | +16.3% |
| GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares | 0.09 | +120% | 0.93 | −0.8% | −1.9% | 16.0% | +15.1% |
| AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF | 0.28 | +114% | 0.90 | +25.5% | −12.6% | 16.8% | +15.0% |
| EFV InternationaliShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF | 0.43 | +89.4% | 0.89 | −5.2% | −14.7% | 16.9% | +14.0% |
Stocks
| Investment | Correlation | 5Y return | Sharpe | 2022 | 2018 | 80/20 mix volatility | 80/20 mix annual return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (this page) | 1.00 | +71.1% | 0.60 | −29.2% | −1.6% | 19.2% | +13.6% |
| CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc. | 0.20 | +471% | 1.54 | +54.1% | −24.5% | 17.2% | +18.9% |
| MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation | 0.06 | +397% | 1.41 | +51.8% | −28.4% | 16.4% | +18.4% |
| MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 0.12 | +660% | 1.39 | +86.6% | −8.2% | 17.4% | +21.0% |
| PBR Oil & Gas IntegratedPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | 0.01 | +721% | 1.32 | +55.4% | +27.7% | 17.2% | +20.9% |
| HWM Aerospace & DefenseHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 0.41 | +544% | 1.31 | +24.2% | −37.5% | 19.3% | +20.9% |
Common questions
What was VONG's worst drawdown?
VONG's deepest decline since it began trading in 2010 was 32.7%, from December 2021 to October 2022. It took 14 months from the low to climb back to its old high. Because VONG launched in September 2010, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or the 2010 flash crash.
What were VONG's best and worst years?
Over 15 full calendar years, VONG's best year was 2023, when it returned 42.7%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -29.2%.
Is there a better investment than VONG?
Among VONG's popular alternatives, VONV matched VONG's return over the past 5 years (11.6% a year against 11.3%) with 33% less volatility. VUG tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against VONG's 0.06%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $30 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years.
Is VONG more volatile than the S&P 500?
Yes. VONG's volatility over the past 5 years was 21.8%, 1.3 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VONG's return lands within 21.8% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.
What is VONG's Sharpe ratio?
VONG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.60, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so VONG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.
How correlated is VONG with the S&P 500?
Over the past 5 years, VONG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.94 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They move almost in lockstep, so holding both adds little diversification. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against VONG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VONG holding.
What are the best alternatives to VONG?
Of the 23 popular alternatives we compared, 16 outperformed VONG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: MGK, SCHG and VGT.
Did VONG outperform the S&P 500?
VONG finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in eight of 15 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +18.4%, against +17.7% for the index.
How did VONG do in stock market crashes?
VONG fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the seven major crashes it has traded through, and further in three. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when VONG fell 31.2% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.
What diversifies VONG?
These had a low correlation with VONG over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.32), DXJ (correlation 0.46) and EMLP (correlation 0.41); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.20), MCK (correlation 0.06) and MPC (correlation 0.12). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.
How we measure
- Short-term periods are 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y; long-term periods are 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed in a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than VONG's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of VONG's, whichever is larger, count as a tie.
- "Qualified" means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Popular alternatives are the funds and stocks most often compared with this one. We include only those that trade today, are not leveraged or inverse, and hold at least $200 million.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years, a measure of how much the price typically swings in a year. The Sharpe ratio is the return above cash for each unit of that volatility.
- A decline, or drawdown, runs from a peak to the lowest close before the next high. The worst decline ever uses all the price history we have; comparisons between funds use the past 10 years so that younger funds are judged on the same stretch.
- Sector overlap is the share of assets two funds hold in the same sectors. Correlation and the mixed-portfolio figures use monthly returns.
- Upside and downside capture follow Morningstar's definition: the compound monthly return in the months the S&P 500 rose (or fell), divided by the S&P 500's compound return in those months. Beta measures how strongly monthly returns have moved with the S&P 500. All three use the same window for every investment.
- Figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update after each trading day. Past performance does not predict future results.
More research
Popular alternatives to VONG
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF- VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1- VUGVanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
SPYGState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF
IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF
QQQMInvesco NASDAQ 100 ETF
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF
SCHD
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