Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTBrendan Coffey, The Motley FoolSat, August 1, 2026 at 8:48 PM GMT+2 5 min readVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NASDAQ:VONG) offers heavy concentration in mega-cap technology leaders, while Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT:VBK) provides a diversified mix of smaller growth companies at a slightly lower expense.Investors often compare VONG and VBK when deciding between large-cap stability and small-cap growth potential. While both Vanguard funds target growth-oriented equities, the Russell 1000 fund tracks established American corporations, whereas the small-cap fund focuses on the next generation of businesses, leading to distinct risk profiles and sector weights.Snapshot (cost & size)MetricVBKVONGIssuerVanguardVanguardShare price$341.38 (as of 2026-07-30)$120.90 (as of 2026-07-30)Expense ratio0.05%0.06%1-yr return (as of July 30, 2026)20.0%7.2%Dividend yield0.4%0.5%Beta1.171.16AUM$47.0 billion$53.4 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from monthly returns over the available fund history (up to five years). The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield as of the close of trading on July 30.The small-cap fund is the more affordable option with a 0.05% expense ratio, though VONG is nearly as efficient at 0.06%. While yield is rarely the focus for growth investors, VONG currently offers a slightly higher trailing payout.Performance & risk comparisonMetricVBKVONGMax drawdown (5 yr)(38.4%)(32.7%)Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return)$1,228$1,735What's insideVanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF is heavily weighted toward technology, representing 54% of its assets under management (AUM), followed by communication services at 16% and industrials at 9%. The fund contains 369 holdings, and its largest positions include Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA) at 13.80%, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) at 6.7%, and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) at 6.2%. It was launched in 2010. Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF has paid $0.58 per share over the trailing 12 months, which on its recent ~$120.90 share price works out to a 0.5% yield.Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF offers more balance across technology at 27%, industrials at 23%, and healthcare at 18%. The fund holds 579 stocks, and its largest positions include Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd (NASDAQ:CRDO) at 1.2%, Revolution Medicines Inc (NASDAQ:RVMD) at 1%, and Astera Labs Inc (NASDAQ:ALAB) at 1%. It was launched in 2004. Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF has paid $1.53 per share over the trailing 12 months, which on its recent ~$341.38 share price works out to a 0.4% yield.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info