VOO vs. VOOG: Is S&P 500 Diversification or Tech-Focused Growth the Better Choice for Investors?

Core Insights - The Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) focuses on growth stocks within the S&P 500, while the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) tracks the entire S&P 500 index [2][10] Cost & Size Comparison - VOOG has an expense ratio of 0.07% and VOO has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% - As of December 17, 2025, VOOG's one-year return is 13.67% compared to VOO's 10.73% - VOO offers a higher dividend yield of 1.12% versus VOOG's 0.48% - VOOG has an AUM of $21.7 billion, while VOO has a significantly larger AUM of $1.5 trillion [3][4] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, VOOG has a maximum drawdown of -32.74%, while VOO's is -24.53% - A $1,000 investment in VOOG would grow to $1,904 over five years, compared to $1,816 for VOO [5] Holdings & Sector Exposure - VOO holds all 505 stocks in the S&P 500, with a sector exposure led by technology at 37% - Top holdings in VOO include Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, providing broad market exposure [6] - VOOG focuses on 217 growth-oriented stocks, with a heavier tilt toward technology at 45%, leading to higher returns but also increased volatility [7][11] Implications for Investors - VOOG has delivered higher one-year and five-year total returns but comes with deeper drawdowns and more volatility compared to VOO - VOO is broader, more diversified, and offers a higher dividend yield at a lower expense ratio - VOOG's concentration in growth names may lead to higher returns, but it also results in less diversification [9][11]