VTEB vs VUG
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, VTEB or VUG?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Growth.
VUG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VTEB | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $48.5B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.44% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 10,566 | 146 |
| YTD Return | -1.97% | +9.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.51% | +12.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.65% | +24.08%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.10% | +13.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.9%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.0%Best | -35.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,050 | $18,424Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 21, 2015 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2015 to Sep 18, 2026 (11.1 years).
VTEB vs VUG 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.
VTEB vs VUG Performance
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTEB returned -0.51% while VUG returned +12.34%. Year to date, VTEB is down 1.97% versus a gain of 9.77% for VUG.
Over three years, VTEB compounded at +2.65% per year against +24.08% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +0.10% and +13.00% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +16.82% annualized vs +1.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 4.9% for VTEB. 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 -17.0% for VTEB and -35.6% for VUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTEB charges 0.03% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VTEB currently yields 3.44% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 17 holdings in VTEB and 147 in VUG, totalling 0.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 17 positions we hold weights for in VTEB and 147 in VUG, against full books of 10,566 and 146.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTEB and VUG 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, VTEB or VUG?
VTEB has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUG charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VTEB or VUG?
Over the past year VTEB returned -0.51% vs +12.34% for VUG, so VUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), VTEB annualized +1.02% vs +16.82% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTEB or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 4.9% for VTEB. Worst drawdown: VTEB -17.0% vs VUG -35.6%.
Should I hold both VTEB and VUG?
VTEB and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, 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, VTEB or VUG?
VTEB yields 3.44% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VTEB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than VTEB?
VUG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.