VUG vs VTV: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Growth ETF against Vanguard Value ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, VUG returned 16.7% a year and VTV 16.2% a year on average, so VUG came out ahead by 0.5% a year. VUG was the more volatile of the two (19.7% against 14.0% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 33.5% for VUG and 15.3% for VTV.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.62: they moved together only in part. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, VUG did better in 63% and VTV in 37%.
Side by side
| VUG | VTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +16.7% | +16.2% |
| Total return | +166% | +159% |
| Annual volatility | 19.7% | 14.0% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −33.5% | −15.3% |
| Worst month | −12.9% | −7.9% |
| Best month | +14.2% | +12.8% |
| Positive months | 61% | 64% |
| Best year | 2023: +46.0% | 2021: +26.5% |
| Worst year | 2022: −33.5% | 2022: −2.1% |
| 1-year return | +11.7% | +22.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.8% | +12.0% |
| 10 years, a year | — | — |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VUG vs VTV
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VUG | VTV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +18.9% | +15.3% |
| 2024 | +32.1% | +16.0% |
| 2023 | +46.0% | +9.3% |
| 2022 | −33.5% | −2.1% |
| 2021 | +26.8% | +26.5% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, VUG or VTV?
From July 2020 to October 2026, VUG returned +16.7% a year and VTV +16.2% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods VUG did better in 63% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VUG or VTV?
Over the same months annual volatility was 19.7% for VUG and 14.0% for VTV; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 33.5% and 15.3%, and the worst single month −12.9% and −7.9%.
How correlated are VUG and VTV?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.62: they moved together only in part. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.