VUG vs VXF
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VUG or VXF?
Large Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. 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 | VUG | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $219.5B | $30.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.38% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 146 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +11.65% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.57%Best | +12.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.10%Best | +19.49% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.87%Best | +5.74% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -51.4%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,319Best | $13,219 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 23, 2026 (22.6 years).
VUG 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
VUG vs VXF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VUG returned +13.57% while VXF returned +12.43%. Year to date, VUG is up 11.65% versus a gain of 11.83% for VXF.
Over three years, VUG compounded at +26.10% per year against +19.49% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +12.87% and +5.74% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +11.28% annualized vs +8.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 16.5% for VUG. 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 -51.4% for VUG 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VUG charges 0.03% per year while VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VUG currently yields 0.38% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.6% of VUG's money is in holdings VXF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXF, our book for it covers 94.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VUG and VXF share little of their money.
24 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in VUG and 3,296 in VXF, against full books of 146 and 3,385.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VUG | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 0.29% | 1.00% | 0.71% |
| NETCloudflare Inc (180 Day Lockup) | 0.27% | 0.89% | 0.62% |
| BECfd Bloom Energy Corp- A | 0.17% | 0.90% | 0.73% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 0.08% | 0.73% | 0.65% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 0.11% | 0.59% | 0.48% |
| ALNYAlnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.09% | 0.45% | 0.36% |
| RBLXRoblox Corp., Class A | 0.08% | 0.41% | 0.33% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 0.48% | 0.00% | 0.48% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.06% | 0.35% | 0.29% |
| MDBMongodb, Inc. | 0.09% | 0.31% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VUG 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, VUG or VXF?
VUG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXF charges 0.05%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VUG or VXF?
Over the past year VUG returned +13.57% vs +12.43% for VXF, so VUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VUG annualized +11.28% vs +8.91% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VUG or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 16.5% for VUG. Worst drawdown: VUG -51.4% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both VUG and VXF?
VUG and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VUG and VXF?
At least 2.6% of VUG's money is in holdings VXF also owns. Our book for VXF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in VUG and 3,296 in VXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VUG or VXF?
VUG yields 0.38% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VXF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VUG?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. 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.