Dividend comparison
VGT vs VUG: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Information Technology ETF and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VGT vs VUG: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. VUG is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.09% for VGT. On $10,000 that is $6 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 0.39% for VGT and 0.39% for VUG. VGT pays annual, VUG pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VGT returned 132.3% versus 78.4% for VUG, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $23,232 in VGT and $17,845 in VUG.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -35.1% for VGT and -35.6% for VUG from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VGT holds 310 positions and VUG holds 166. The ten largest positions make up 63.6% of VGT and 63.1% of VUG.
- Overlap. 59% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 41 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. VUG grew its yearly payout 6.9% a year over the last 4 years, versus 1.0% for VGT.
- Size. VUG is the larger fund with $392.2 billion in assets, against $178.0 billion for VGT.
Bottom line: VGT fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. VUG fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF | VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.39% | 0.39% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.47 | $0.35 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.1465 on Sep 25, 2026 | $0.0910 on Sep 30, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 1.0% over 4 yrs | 6.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $120.20 | $88.67 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 3 years |
| Beta | 1.35 | 1.27 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -35.1% | -35.6% |
| Market cap | $138.44B | $392.24B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $178.00B | $392.20B |
| Number of holdings | 310 | 166 |
| Top 10 concentration | 63.6% | 63.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VGT
$3.28/mo
$39 /yr at 0.39% yield
VUG
$3.25/mo
$39 /yr at 0.39% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VGT pays annual; VUG pays quarterly.
| Year | VGT | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.3810 | $0.3351 |
| 2024 | $0.4644 | $0.3188 |
| 2023 | $0.3904 | $0.3003 |
| 2022 | $0.3636 | $0.2499 |
| 2021 | $0.3654 | $0.2567 |
Strategy: Large-cap growth
Funds that hold the faster-growing half of the large-cap market, selected by measures like earnings growth, sales growth and price momentum. In practice that means heavy weights in technology and communication companies, with the largest few names often making up a third of the fund or more. Dividends are small because growth companies reinvest their cash instead of paying it out.
Concentration in a handful of mega-cap stocks makes these funds swing harder than the broad market in both directions, and they offer little current income.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $23,232 in VGT and $17,845 in VUG.
| Period | VGT | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.61% | 0.01% |
| 3 months | 6.28% | 4.01% |
| Year to date | 28.02% | 9.40% |
| 1 year | 26.74% | 10.23% |
| 3 years | 138.07% | 99.93% |
| 5 years | 132.32% | 78.45% |
- VGT
- VUG
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VGT
- VUG
VGT vs VUG holdings overlap
59% overlap by weight, with 41 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | VGT weight | VUG weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA Corp | 17.58% | 13.48% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 15.91% | 12.50% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 11.16% | 9.74% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.11% | 4.34% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.67% | 2.66% |
| INTCIntel Corp | 1.98% | 1.45% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.55% | 1.11% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 1.55% | 1.10% |
| AMATApplied Materials Inc | 1.53% | 1.10% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks Inc | 1.24% | 0.88% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VGT310 holdings total
Quick verdict
VGT fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. VUG fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is VGT or VUG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VGT currently yields 0.39% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VUG yields 0.39%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VGT and VUG?
Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VGT or VUG?
VUG has the lower expense ratio. VGT charges 0.09% a year and VUG charges 0.03%, a difference of $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VGT or VUG?
Over the last 5 years, VGT has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VGT returned 132.3% and VUG returned 78.4%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VGT or VUG?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VUG has been riskier: VGT fell as much as 35.1% and VUG as much as 35.6%. Their betas are 1.35 and 1.27.
How much do VGT and VUG overlap?
About 59% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 41 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, AAPL, MSFT. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do VGT and VUG pay dividends?
VGT pays annual and VUG pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in VGT vs VUG generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VGT would generate roughly $3.28 per month ($39 annually). The same amount in VUG would produce about $3.25 per month ($39 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VGT and VUG?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VGT vs VUG with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VGT and VUG fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.