VUG vs VXZ: Correlation
Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ) show a negative relationship: their 3-year correlation of weekly returns is -0.65.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are VUG and VXZ?
Over the past 3 years, VUG and VXZ moved with a correlation of -0.65, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. Little has changed lately, as the 1-year reading of -0.56 lands near the 3-year figure. Over 5 years the correlation is -0.63, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -323.0 %².
Out of 103 assets tracked against VUG, VXZ lands near the bottom at #101. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with VUG ahead by 32.3 points (+16.2% versus -16.1%).
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
VUG vs VXZ: side by side
| VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) | VXZ (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +16.2% | -16.1% |
| 5-year return | +78.4% | -53.1% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 19.4% | 25.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 1.28 | -1.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -22.8% | -36.4% |
| Dividend yield | 0.40% | – |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | – |
| Assets under management | $372.0B | – |
| Sector / category | ETF · US Style | US Listed |
VUG, Vanguard's Large Growth fund, carries $372.0B under management, 146 holdings, a 0.03% expense ratio, a 0.40% trailing dividend yield.
Year-by-year returns
| Year | VUG | VXZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -33.2% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | +46.8% | -44.0% |
| 2024 | +32.7% | -12.7% |
| 2025 | +19.4% | +5.7% |
| 2026 | +9.6% | -10.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are VUG and VXZ good diversifiers for each other?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.65 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
FAQ
What is the correlation between VUG and VXZ?
As of 2026-08-27, the correlation of weekly returns between VUG and VXZ is -0.65 over 3 years, -0.56 over 1 year and -0.63 over 5 years.
Is VXZ a good diversifier for VUG?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.65 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
What does a correlation of -0.65 mean?
A reading of -0.65 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/vug-vs-vxz.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/vug-vs-vxz/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: VUG correlations · VXZ correlations
