VOT ETF — Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF

Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT)

Updated October 16, 2026.

VOT is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Morningstar US Mid Cap Growth Index. its distribution rate is 0.54%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.62%, its expense ratio is 0.05%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 92/100 (Safe). Total return is 550.7% over the past 20.1 years, 201.6 points behind SPY at 752.3%.

Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF tracks the Morningstar US Mid Cap Growth Index through a passively managed portfolio of growth-oriented mid-size U.S. companies, holding each stock in the same proportion as its index weighting. The fund has a modest distribution rate and makes quarterly distributions, with a very low expense ratio of 0.05%. This ETF appeals to growth-oriented investors seeking broad exposure to the mid-cap growth segment with minimal costs.

VOT performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 550.7% over the past 20.1 years, 201.6 points behind SPY at 752.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 0.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 16.0%.

VOT key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

92 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.50%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

08/17/2006

Expense ratio

0.05%

Distribution rate

0.54%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.62%

Last close

$288.72 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$19,935,392,662

Average volume

156313.0

Dividend

$0.389

Ex-dividend date

09/28/2026

Payment date

09/30/2026

Beta

1.22

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.54%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (0.62%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: Morningstar US Mid Cap Growth Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VOT risks and drawbacks

VOT's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 16.0%.

Who may consider VOT — and who may not

VOT may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VOT pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on VOT

• VOT dividend calendar
• VOT dividend history
• All tickers starting with V

Tagged: Index, Growth.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from Vanguard.