VONG Vs. SCHG ETF: Picking the Growth ETF That Fits 2026 Trends

Core Insights - Investors are increasingly using ETFs for exposure to growth stocks, with Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) being popular choices due to their diversification and cost efficiency [1] Group 1: ETF Overview and Composition - VONG tracks the Russell 1000 Growth Index, comprising around 500 large-cap U.S. companies with significant exposure to technology, consumer discretionary, and healthcare sectors, with top holdings including Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon [2] - SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, holding approximately 120 names, providing broader diversification and lower relative weighting in mega-cap tech compared to VONG, while still maintaining stakes in leaders like Alphabet and Nvidia [3] Group 2: Sector Concentration Differences - VONG has a technology weighting near 50%, making it sensitive to tech performance, while SCHG's technology allocation is around 40%, offering more balance and higher exposure to healthcare and consumer discretionary mid-caps [4] - The ongoing sector rotation trends in early 2026 indicate a shift from mega-cap tech to small- and mid-cap growth names, making SCHG's broader diversification potentially less volatile [5] Group 3: Performance Comparison - As of January 10, 2026, VONG has returned approximately 14.8% year-to-date, while SCHG has returned 13.5%, with VONG showing slightly higher long-term performance at an average annual return of 16.2% over five years compared to SCHG's 15.6% [6][7] Group 4: Expense Ratios and Costs - VONG has an expense ratio of 0.04%, while SCHG is slightly lower at 0.03%, both being low-cost options that may appeal to long-term investors [8] Group 5: Liquidity and Trading Considerations - VONG averages around 300,000 shares traded daily, while SCHG averages 450,000 shares, indicating that SCHG may offer tighter bid-ask spreads and easier trading for larger quantities [9] Group 6: Market Conditions and Investor Preferences - In early 2026, market conditions favor SCHG for investors seeking balanced exposure amid sector rotation, while aggressive investors may prefer VONG for concentrated tech exposure [10][11] - Key considerations for investors include risk tolerance, investment horizon, and how each ETF fits into their broader portfolio strategy [11]