VONG vs VWO
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, VONG or VWO?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VONG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VWO over 1Y.
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 | VONG | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Tie | 0.06%Tie |
| AUM | $51.6B | $122.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.46% | 2.29% |
| Holdings | 373 | 6,334 |
| YTD Return | +3.94% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.20% | +15.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44%Best | +17.69% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98%Best | +6.01% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -43.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608Best | $13,389 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2010 | Mar 4, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (16 years).
VONG vs VWO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VONG vs VWO Performance
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VONG returned +7.20% while VWO returned +15.58%. Year to date, VONG is up 3.94% versus a gain of 10.00% for VWO.
Over three years, VONG compounded at +21.44% per year against +17.69% for VWO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and +6.01% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.56% annualized vs +2.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VWO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.9% 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 -32.7% for VONG and -43.7% for VWO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VONG charges 0.06% per year while VWO charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $6 annually. On income, VONG currently yields 0.46% against 2.29% for VWO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VONG's money is in holdings VWO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VWO, our book for it covers 88.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 371 positions we hold weights for in VONG and 4,694 in VWO, against full books of 373 and 6,334.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VONG | Weight in VWO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANGJ:ZAAnglogold Ashanti Plc | 0.11% | 0.33% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VONG and VWO 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, VONG or VWO?
VONG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VWO charges 0.06%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VONG or VWO?
Over the past year VONG returned +7.20% vs +15.58% for VWO, so VWO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VONG annualized +15.56% vs +2.99% for VWO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VONG or VWO?
VWO has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VONG -32.7% vs VWO -43.7%.
Should I hold both VONG and VWO?
VONG and VWO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, VONG or VWO?
VONG yields 0.46% while VWO yields 2.29%, so VWO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VWO better than VONG?
VONG led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VWO over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.