OriginaveVUG — Vanguard Growth ETF
Vanguard Growth ETF: what it is, what it costs, and what it actually returned — dividends reinvested.
VUG in plain words
VUG is the Vanguard Growth ETF from Vanguard. It tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index and costs 0.03% a year, quietly deducted from returns. Yes — VUG is a distributing fund: the dividends its holdings pay are passed on to you as cash.
$10,000 invested at the start of 2016 was worth $49,942 by the end of 2025 — an average of 17.4% per year over 10 full years, dividends reinvested. Its best full year so far was 2023 (+46.83%), its worst 2008 (-38.02%) — the range you sign up for.
VUG fund facts
| Fund | Vanguard Growth ETF |
|---|---|
| Provider | Vanguard |
| Tracks | CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index |
| Yearly cost (TER) | 0.03% |
| Dividends | Distributing — paid out as cash |
| Launched | 26 Jan 2004 |
Curious what the index actually holds? Read our CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index profile.
VUG returns by year (USD)
| Year | Total return |
|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | +6.18% |
| 2025 | +19.40% |
| 2024 | +32.69% |
| 2023 | +46.83% |
| 2022 | -33.16% |
| 2021 | +27.35% |
| 2020 | +40.25% |
| 2019 | +37.03% |
| 2018 | -3.32% |
| 2017 | +27.72% |
| 2016 | +6.27% |
| 2015 | +3.24% |
| 2014 | +13.61% |
| 2013 | +32.48% |
| 2012 | +17.01% |
| 2011 | +1.82% |
| 2010 | +17.22% |
| 2009 | +36.14% |
| 2008 | -38.02% |
| 2007 | +12.52% |
| 2006 | +9.19% |
| 2005 | +5.02% |
| 2004 | +4.99% |
Calendar-year total returns of VUG in USD, dividends reinvested — the ETF tracking this index, not the raw index level.
Frequently asked
Is VUG a good investment?
VUG is a broad, low-effort way to own the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index at 0.03% a year. $10,000 invested at the start of 2016 was worth $49,942 by the end of 2025 — an average of 17.4% per year over 10 full years, dividends reinvested. Whether it fits depends on your goals and horizon — past returns don't promise future ones, but this is the actual track record.
What is VUG's TER?
VUG's total expense ratio (TER) is 0.03% per year, deducted continuously from the fund's assets — you never get a bill, the returns are simply quoted after costs.
Does VUG pay dividends?
Yes — VUG is a distributing fund: the dividends its holdings pay are passed on to you as cash.
What would $10,000 invested in VUG be worth?
$10,000 invested at the start of 2016 was worth $49,942 by the end of 2025 — an average of 17.4% per year over 10 full years, dividends reinvested.
Curious about other amounts or start years? Try the VUG what-if calculator.