VIG vs VXF
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VIG or VXF?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VIG led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXF over 3Y. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%.
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 | VIG | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $109.1B | $30.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.56% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 336 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +10.11%Best | +8.47% |
| 1Y Return | +12.75%Best | +8.89% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.17% | +18.45%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.58%Best | +5.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 19.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.2%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,534Best | $12,763 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.7% | 6.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 21, 2006 | Dec 27, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.5 years).
VIG 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 20.5 years both funds cover.
VIG vs VXF Performance
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VIG returned +12.75% while VXF returned +8.89%. Year to date, VIG is up 10.11% versus a gain of 8.47% for VXF.
Over three years, VIG compounded at +17.17% per year against +18.45% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +10.58% and +5.00% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VIG has the edge at +8.51% annualized vs +8.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 13.3% for VIG. 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 -48.2% for VIG 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VIG charges 0.04% per year while VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $5 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VIG currently yields 1.56% against 1.05% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
4.3% of VIG's money is in holdings VXF also owns. 11.8% of VXF's money is in holdings VIG also owns.
VXF and VIG share little of their money.
163 positions in common, counted across the 332 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 3,278 in VXF, against full books of 336 and 3,385.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,565 positions for VXF that do not appear in our book for VIG (81.2% of the fund), and 167 for VIG that do not appear in VXF (94.9%).
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 VIG | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.29% | 0.28% | 0.01% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.13% | 0.35% | 0.22% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.08% | 0.25% | 0.17% |
| HEIHeico Corp. | 0.08% | 0.24% | 0.16% |
| RBARitchie Brothers Auctioneers, Inc. | 0.07% | 0.25% | 0.18% |
| ITTItt Inc | 0.08% | 0.21% | 0.13% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.09% | 0.19% | 0.10% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.07% | 0.19% | 0.12% |
| BWXTBwx Technologies, Inc. | 0.06% | 0.19% | 0.13% |
| LECOLincoln Electric Holdings Inc | 0.07% | 0.17% | 0.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VIG 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, VIG or VXF?
VIG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VXF charges 0.05%. VIG is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VIG or VXF?
Over the past year VIG returned +12.75% vs +8.89% for VXF, so VIG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), VIG annualized +8.51% vs +8.09% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VIG or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 13.3% for VIG. Worst drawdown: VIG -48.2% vs VXF -59.4%.
Should I hold both VIG and VXF?
VIG and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 VIG and VXF?
11.8% of VXF's money is in holdings VIG also owns. 11.8% of VXF's is in holdings VIG also owns. They hold 163 positions in common, counted across the 332 positions we hold weights for in VIG and 3,278 in VXF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VIG or VXF?
VIG yields 1.56% while VXF yields 1.05%, so VIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VIG?
VIG has a lower expense ratio. VIG led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VXF over 3Y. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.