Dividend comparison
VUG vs FSPGX: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF and Fidelity Large Cap Growth Idx, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VUG vs FSPGX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 0.39% for VUG and 0.37% for FSPGX. VUG pays quarterly, FSPGX pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VUG returned 78.4% versus 74.7% for FSPGX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,845 in VUG and $17,472 in FSPGX.
- Risk. VUG has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -35.6%, against -32.7% for FSPGX.
- Diversification. VUG holds 166 positions and FSPGX holds 100. The ten largest positions make up 63.1% of VUG and 56.8% of FSPGX.
- Overlap. 75% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 70 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. VUG grew its yearly payout 6.9% a year over the last 4 years, versus -29.9% for FSPGX.
Bottom line: VUG has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. FSPGX does not lead on any of the measures compared here. With 75% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VUG Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF | FSPGX Fidelity Large Cap Growth Idx |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.39% | 0.37% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.35 | $0.18 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.0910 on Sep 30, 2026 | $0.0210 on Jun 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 28, 2026 | Jun 26, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.9% over 4 yrs | -29.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $88.67 | $48.03 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | 2 years |
| Beta | 1.27 | 1.16 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -35.6% | -32.7% |
| Market cap | $392.24B | $44.27B |
| Exchange | AMEX | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | — |
| Assets under management | $392.20B | — |
| Number of holdings | 166 | 100 |
| Top 10 concentration | 63.1% | 56.8% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VUG
$3.25/mo
$39 /yr at 0.39% yield
FSPGX
$3.12/mo
$37 /yr at 0.37% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VUG pays quarterly; FSPGX pays semi-annual.
| Year | VUG | FSPGX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.3351 | $0.1590 |
| 2024 | $0.3188 | $0.1450 |
| 2023 | $0.3003 | $0.2160 |
| 2022 | $0.2499 | $0.1790 |
| 2021 | $0.2567 | $0.6570 |
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 $17,845 in VUG and $17,472 in FSPGX.
| Period | VUG | FSPGX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.01% | -0.74% |
| 3 months | 4.01% | 2.58% |
| Year to date | 9.40% | 3.80% |
| 1 year | 10.23% | 3.71% |
| 3 years | 99.93% | 87.76% |
| 5 years | 78.45% | 74.72% |
- VUG
- FSPGX
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.
- VUG
- FSPGX
VUG vs FSPGX holdings overlap
75% overlap by weight, with 70 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 | VUG weight | FSPGX weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA Corp | 13.48% | 15.45% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 12.50% | 7.45% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 9.74% | 5.65% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 5.16% | 5.93% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.34% | 5.17% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.09% | 4.79% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.23% | 3.09% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.65% | 3.23% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co | 2.60% | 2.77% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.66% | 2.30% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VUG166 holdings total
Quick verdict
VUG has the edge on these figures, with stronger 5-year returns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. FSPGX does not lead on any of the measures compared here. With 75% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
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Frequently asked questions
Is VUG or FSPGX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VUG currently yields 0.39% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FSPGX yields 0.37%. 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 VUG and FSPGX?
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Fidelity Large Cap Growth Idx (FSPGX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which has performed better, VUG or FSPGX?
Over the last 5 years, VUG has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VUG returned 78.4% and FSPGX returned 74.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VUG or FSPGX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VUG has been riskier: VUG fell as much as 35.6% and FSPGX as much as 32.7%. Their betas are 1.27 and 1.16.
How much do VUG and FSPGX overlap?
About 75% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 70 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, AAPL, MSFT. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do VUG and FSPGX pay dividends?
VUG pays quarterly and FSPGX pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in VUG vs FSPGX generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VUG would generate roughly $3.25 per month ($39 annually). The same amount in FSPGX would produce about $3.12 per month ($37 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VUG and FSPGX?
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 VUG vs FSPGX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VUG and FSPGX 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.