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Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

VUG

Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF NYSE

$88.23 ▲ 1.17%
VS

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF NYSE

$703.79 ▲ 1.02%
Last updated: (2m ago) • VUG at $88.23, VOO at $703.79
CleaRank Financial AIData from TwelveData
Reviewed by CleaRank editorial team. Data refreshed daily. Not financial advice.

Comparative Analysis

VUG wins this head-to-head comparison due to its stronger growth orientation and superior year-to-date and 10-year trailing returns, despite VOO offering a higher dividend yield. VUG's focus on large-cap growth companies, particularly in technology, positions it for potentially higher capital appreciation in growth-driven markets. While VOO provides broader market exposure and a more substantial income stream, VUG's performance metrics in growth categories and its sector concentration in technology give it the edge for investors prioritizing capital gains over immediate income.

Key Differentiator

The key differentiator between VUG and VOO lies in their investment strategy and sector concentration. VUG is designed to track the performance of large-capitalization growth stocks, heavily weighted towards technology, aiming for capital appreciation. VOO, conversely, tracks a broad U.S. market index, offering diversification across all market capitalizations and sectors, with a blend of growth and value characteristics and a higher dividend yield. This fundamental difference in objective and composition dictates their respective risk-reward profiles and performance drivers.

Joint Outlook

The outlook for VUG is tied to the continued innovation and growth within the technology sector, which is expected to drive its performance. If technology companies maintain their earnings momentum and market leadership, VUG could see significant capital appreciation. For VOO, the outlook is more broadly tied to the overall health of the U.S. economy and corporate earnings across all sectors. A scenario of steady economic growth would likely benefit VOO, while a tech-led downturn could see VUG underperform in the short term, though its long-term growth potential remains.

Price Analysis Comparison

Asset Metrics i

Asset Metrics: VUG vs VOO
Metric VUG VOO
52 Week Range $69.63 - $90.60 $578.46 - $716.39
Prev. Close $87.21 $696.65
Market Cap 20.21B N/A
24h Volume 71.10K 45.48K
VUG, as a large-cap growth ETF, is implicitly valued on its future earnings potential, driven by its heavy allocation to the technology sector. VUG's sector composition suggests a higher growth expectation reflected in its underlying holdings' valuations. VOO, a large-cap blend ETF, offers broader diversification across sectors, which typically implies a more moderate valuation profile compared to a pure growth fund. The difference in their sector focus, with VUG's 56.32% in Technology versus VOO's 37.43%, is the primary driver of their differing valuation characteristics.

Market Performance i

Market Performance: VUG vs VOO
Metric VUG VOO
Volatility (30D) 17.42% 12.42%
24h Range $87.95 - $88.45 $702.00 - $704.47
Market Strength (RSI) 54.4 50.1
Trend (SMA 50) Bullish Bullish
VUG has shown higher recent volatility (17.4%) compared to VOO (12.4%). Market momentum is currently Bullish for both.

Technical Indicators

Technical indicators: VUG vs VOO
Indicator VUG VOO
RSI (14) 54.41 50.08
50-Day MA $87.06 $697.34
200-Day MA $82.60 $656.77
VUG is currently trading at $88.23, above its 50-day SMA of $87.06 and 200-day SMA of $82.60, with an RSI of 54.41, indicating a neutral to slightly positive momentum. VOO is trading at $703.79, also above its 50-day SMA of $697.34 and 200-day SMA of $656.77, but its RSI is at 50.08, suggesting a more neutral technical stance. VUG's MACD of 0.20 suggests less upward momentum compared to VOO's MACD of 1.07, but both are above zero, confirming uptrends. VUG's price is closer to its 52-week high of $90.60, while VOO is also approaching its 52-week high of $716.39.

AI Analyst Sentiment

Technical rating — based on current price action versus moving averages and momentum. This measures short-term chart trend, not analyst opinion or company fundamentals.

VUG

Buy
Technical Score: 75/100

VOO

Buy
Technical Score: 75/100
As ETFs, VUG and VOO do not have analyst ratings or median targets. Sentiment is inferred from their price action and trailing returns. VUG's higher trailing returns over 5 and 10 years suggest sustained investor confidence in its growth-oriented strategy. VOO's stronger year-to-date return indicates a current market preference for broader market exposure. The difference in dividend yields, with VOO offering a higher payout, may attract income-focused investors, while VUG's growth focus appeals to capital appreciation seekers.

Risk Stratification i

Risk metrics: VUG vs VOO
Metric VUG VOO
Sharpe Ratio 0.60 0.74
VUG's primary risk stems from its heavy concentration in the Technology sector. A downturn in technology stocks, driven by regulatory changes, slowing innovation, or shifts in consumer demand, could disproportionately impact VUG's performance. Its growth-oriented nature also means it may be more sensitive to interest rate hikes. VOO, with its broad diversification across sectors and asset classes, presents a more diversified risk profile. However, it is still subject to overall market risk, economic downturns, and systemic financial events that affect the entire stock market.

Comparative ProTips

  • Consider VUG for growth-oriented portfolios and VOO for core market exposure, potentially holding both to balance growth and diversification.
  • Monitor technology sector performance closely, as it is the primary driver for VUG and a significant component of VOO.
  • Evaluate your income needs; VOO's higher dividend yield makes it a more suitable choice if current income is a priority.

Monte Carlo Projection (10yr)

Actionable Trade Plans

Compare entry, exit, and risk management levels for both assets

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 3% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
VUG
Current: $88.23
ENTRY ZONES
$83.82
$88.23
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$81.30
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5%
$88.01
+10%
$92.20
+15%
$96.39
VOO
Current: $703.79
ENTRY ZONES
$668.60
$703.79
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$648.54
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5%
$702.03
+10%
$735.46
+15%
$768.89
ℹ️ Disclaimer
This comparison involves assets with varying risk profiles. The content is for educational purposes only. Identifying the stronger asset is based on relative strength (RS) and technical convergence. Past correlation does not guarantee future lockstep movement. Trading involves risk of loss.

Note: The AI favored VUG based on growth trajectory. This is valid for the specified timeframe only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is a better buy, VUG or VOO?+
VUG is a better buy for investors prioritizing growth and technology exposure, evidenced by its stronger long-term trailing returns. VOO is preferable for those seeking broad market diversification and a higher income stream, as indicated by its higher dividend yield and strong year-to-date performance.
What are the key risks for VUG versus VOO?+
VUG's main risk is its heavy concentration in the technology sector, making it vulnerable to sector-specific downturns. VOO's risk is more diversified, tied to overall market performance, but it lacks the concentrated growth potential of VUG.
How do VUG and VOO compare in terms of expense ratio?+
Both VUG and VOO have an identical expense ratio of 0.03%, meaning they cost $30 per $10,000 invested annually. This is a significant advantage for cost-conscious investors.
Which ETF offers better long-term returns?+
Historically, VUG has demonstrated stronger long-term trailing returns, particularly over 5 and 10 years, reflecting the outperformance of growth stocks. VOO offers competitive returns but with a broader market exposure.
What is the dividend yield difference between VUG and VOO?+
VOO offers a significantly higher dividend yield of 1.04% compared to VUG's 0.38%, making VOO more attractive for income-focused investors.
How concentrated are the sector holdings of VUG and VOO?+
VUG is highly concentrated in Technology (56.32%), while VOO offers broader sector diversification with Technology as its largest segment (37.43%).
What is the net assets difference between VUG and VOO?+
VOO has substantially larger net assets ($1.74 trillion) compared to VUG ($379.4 billion), indicating greater investor inflows and market presence for VOO.

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Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. This AI-generated comparison of VUG vs VOO is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or digital assets. The comparison metrics, trade plans, and AI signals are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Different asset classes carry different risk profiles - stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex each have unique regulatory frameworks and risk factors. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analysis generated on September 11, 2026.