VOT vs VXF
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VOT or VXF?
Mid Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
VOT led over the full window, VXF over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%.
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 | VOT | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Tie | 0.05%Tie |
| AUM | $19.6B | $31.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 126 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +6.29% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.15% | +12.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.99% | +20.69%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.64% | +6.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3% | -59.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,157 | $13,759Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9% | 6.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 17, 2006 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2006 to Oct 2, 2026 (20.1 years).
VOT vs VXF 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 20.1 years both funds cover.
VOT vs VXF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOT returned +1.15% while VXF returned +12.54%. Year to date, VOT is up 6.29% versus a gain of 12.08% for VXF.
Over three years, VOT compounded at +16.99% per year against +20.69% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +5.64% and +6.59% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOT has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +8.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 18.5% for VOT. 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 -60.3% for VOT and -59.4% for VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOT charges 0.05% per year while VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $5 annually. On income, VOT currently yields 0.60% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
12.8% of VOT's money is in holdings VXF also owns. 8.3% of VXF's money is in holdings VOT also owns.
VOT and VXF share little of their money.
26 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 3,278 in VXF, against full books of 126 and 3,385.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,698 positions for VXF that do not appear in our book for VOT (84.2% of the fund), and 94 for VOT that do not appear in VXF (85.4%).
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 VOT | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NETCloudflare Inc (180 Day Lockup) | 2.03% | 1.07% | 0.96% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 1.10% | 1.22% | 0.12% |
| BECfd Bloom Energy Corp- A | 1.27% | 0.65% | 0.62% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 0.86% | 0.40% | 0.46% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 0.55% | 0.50% | 0.05% |
| LPLALpl Holdings | 0.64% | 0.34% | 0.30% |
| ALNYAlnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.62% | 0.33% | 0.29% |
| MDBMongodb, Inc. | 0.59% | 0.33% | 0.26% |
| CRWVCoreweave, Inc. | 0.62% | 0.23% | 0.39% |
| RBLXRoblox Corp., Class A | 0.52% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VOT and VXF 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, VOT or VXF?
VOT has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VXF charges 0.05%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VOT or VXF?
Over the past year VOT returned +1.15% vs +12.54% for VXF, so VXF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VOT annualized +9.39% vs +8.83% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOT or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 18.5% for VOT. Worst drawdown: VOT -60.3% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both VOT and VXF?
VOT and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VOT and VXF?
12.8% of VOT's money is in holdings VXF also owns. 8.3% of VXF's is in holdings VOT also owns. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in VOT and 3,278 in VXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOT or VXF?
VOT yields 0.60% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VXF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VOT?
VOT led over the full window, VXF over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 20.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.