CARKvsVUGETF Comparison
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CastleArk Large Growth ETF (CARK) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) belong to the same industry segment: US Large Cap Growth. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Information Technology, Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary. CARK is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.54%, versus 0.03% for VUG. CARK is up 2.27% year-to-date (YTD) with -$9M in YTD flows. VUG performs better with 3.25% YTD performance, and +$5.77B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of CARK and VUG below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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CARK vs VUG performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 04/29/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | CARK VUG | +17.20%+13.94% | +0.85%+4.35% | +2.27%+3.25% | +26.57%+31.60% | n/a+103.03% | n/a+89.22% |
| Flows | CARK VUG | +$21M+$1.99B | -$9M+$3.15B | -$9M+$5.77B | -$87M+$15.07B | -+$40.03B | -+$54.24B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | CARK VUG | +21.98%+20.84% | +17.51%+16.51% | n/a+19.48% | n/a+22.54% |
| Max drawdown | CARK VUG | -13.95%-12.91% | -16.56%-16.50% | n/a-23.03% | n/a-35.61% |
| Max drawdown duration | CARK VUG | 77d71d | 182d183d | n/a126d | n/a756d |
Trading data
CARK | VUG | |
Last sale 5/1/2026 at 1:30 PM | $45.49 | $83.86 |
| Previous close 04/29/2026 | $45.24 | $83.17 |
| Consolidated volume 04/29/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of April 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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CARK
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexCARK | VUG | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 5/1/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
CARK | VUG | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $45.49 | $83.86 |
| 1D performance | +0.55% | +0.83% |
| AuM | $308.02 M | $215.88 B |
| E/R | 0.54% | 0.03% |
Characteristics
CARK | VUG | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | CastleArk Management | Vanguard |
| Benchmark | - | CRSP U.S. Large Cap Growth Index |
| N° of holdings | 27 | 138 |
| Asset class | - | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 6, 2023 | January 26, 2004 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
CARK
USA
90.88%
Other
9.12%
VUG
USA
99.25%
Other
0.75%
Sectors
CARK
Information Techn.
48.87%
Communication Ser.
13.4%
Consumer Discreti.
8.13%
Other
29.6%
VUG
Information Techn.
53.4%
Communication Ser.
15.99%
Consumer Discreti.
12.49%
Other
18.12%
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Diversification
CARK
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
76.5%
VUG
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
70.77%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
CARK
NVIDIA
16.09%
ALPHABET INC-CL
8.61%
MICROSOFT-T
6.88%
APPLE
5.83%
META PLATFORMS
4.79%
US5128073062
4.63%
LILLY
4.61%
ARISTA NETWORKS
3.75%
BROADCOM LIMITED
3.75%
AMAZON.COM INC
3.41%
MASTERCARD
3.23%
VISA INCORPORATION
3.11%
CHARLES SCHWAB
3.00%
US36828A1016
2.43%
SERVICENOW
2.38%
VUG
NVIDIA
13.31%
APPLE
12.32%
MICROSOFT-T
9.09%
ALPHABET INC-CL
5.54%
AMAZON.COM INC
4.59%
BROADCOM LIMITED
4.40%
ALPHABET INC-CL
4.38%
META PLATFORMS
4.15%
TESLA
3.47%
LILLY
2.59%
VISA INCORPORATION
1.65%
COSTCO WHOLESALE
1.48%
NETFLIX
1.36%
MASTERCARD
1.33%
ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES
1.11%
Frequently asked questions about CARK and VUG
How have the CARK and VUG ETFs performed in 2026?
As of April 29, 2026, CARK is up 2.27% year-to-date (YTD), while VUG has returned 3.25%. That puts VUG better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: CARK or VUG?
Year-to-date, the CARK ETF saw -$9M in flows, compared to +$5.77B for VUG.
Which ETF is more volatile: CARK or VUG?
Over the past year, CARK had a volatility of 17.51%, while VUG experienced 16.51%.
Which ETF is bigger: CARK or VUG?
As of April 29, 2026, CARK holds $308.02 M in assets under management (AUM), while VUG manages $215.88 B.
What sectors do the CARK and VUG ETFs invest in?
CARK leans toward sectors like Information Technology, Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary. Meanwhile, VUG focuses on Information Technology, Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary.
What are the top holdings of the CARK ETF and VUG ETF?
CARK top holdings include NVIDIA, ALPHABET INC-CL and MICROSOFT-T. VUG holds in its top three: NVIDIA, APPLE and MICROSOFT-T.
Which ETF is more diversified: CARK or VUG?
CARK holds 28 securities with 76.5% of its assets in the top 15. VUG has 152 securities and a top 15 weight of 70.77%.
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