VGK vs VONG
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF
Which is better, VGK or VONG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VGK led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VGK | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Tie | 0.06%Tie |
| AUM | $31.0B | $45.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 1,250 | 374 |
| YTD Return | +3.21% | +6.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.14%Best | +7.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12% | +24.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.78% | +13.43%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.6% | -32.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,232 | $18,778Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.4%Best | 56.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Oct 1, 2026 (16 years).
VGK vs VONG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16 years both funds cover.
VGK vs VONG Performance
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGK returned +9.14% while VONG returned +7.26%. Year to date, VGK is up 3.21% versus a gain of 6.94% for VONG.
Over three years, VGK compounded at +18.12% per year against +24.01% for VONG; over five years the annualized figures are +8.78% and +13.43% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.71% annualized vs +4.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.8% for VONG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -41.6% for VGK and -32.7% for VONG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGK charges 0.06% per year while VONG charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $6 annually. On income, VGK currently yields 2.81% against 0.46% for VONG.
Holdings Overlap
0.7% of VGK's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 0.2% of VONG's money is in holdings VGK also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 368 in VONG, against full books of 1,250 and 374.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 303 positions for VONG that do not appear in our book for VGK (99.1% of the fund), and 11 for VGK that do not appear in VONG (2.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGK | Weight in VONG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.71% | 0.21% | 0.50% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGK and VONG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VGK or VONG?
VGK has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VONG charges 0.06%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VGK or VONG?
Over the past year VGK returned +9.14% vs +7.26% for VONG, so VGK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VGK annualized +4.81% vs +15.71% for VONG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGK or VONG?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.8% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VGK -41.6% vs VONG -32.7%.
Should I hold both VGK and VONG?
VGK and VONG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGK or VONG?
VGK yields 2.81% while VONG yields 0.46%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VONG better than VGK?
VGK led over 1Y, VONG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.