VUG ETF — Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF

Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG)

VUG is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Morningstar US Large Cap Growth Index. As of September 4, 2026, its distribution rate is 0.42%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.38%, its expense ratio is 0.03%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 90/100 (Safe). Total return is 1278.7% over the past 22.6 years, 353.6 points ahead of SPY at 925.1%.

At the current 0.42% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $42 per year, or $3.50 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

Vanguard Growth ETF tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index to provide diversified exposure to growth stocks of large U.S. companies. The fund has a low current distribution rate, pays dividends quarterly, and carries a very low expense ratio of 0.03%. It appeals to growth-oriented investors seeking broad-based exposure to large-cap U.S. equities with minimal costs.

VUG performance versus SPY

Data as of September 4, 2026.

Total return is 1278.7% over the past 22.6 years, 353.6 points ahead of SPY at 925.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 16.5%.

VUG key facts

Data as of September 4, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

90 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.38%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/26/2004

Expense ratio

0.03%

Distribution rate

0.42%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.38%

Last close

$88.45

NAV

$87.60

Premium / discount

0.97% premium

AUM

$224,759,793,726

Market cap

$20,210,173,952

Average volume

3492100.0

Last dividend

$0.0923

Last ex-dividend date

06/26/2026

Last payment date

06/30/2026

Beta

1.26

P/E ratio

31.8338

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.42%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (0.38%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. 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. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of September 4, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of September 4, 2026.

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: Morningstar US Large 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.

VUG risks and drawbacks

VUG'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. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 16.5%.

Who may consider VUG — and who may not

VUG 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 (VUG pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare VUG

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Frequently asked questions

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