Meet the 2 Vanguard ETFs That Are Issuing 6-for-1 Stock Splits in April. Here's Why Both Are Buys Now.

By Daniel Foelber – Apr 2, 2026 at 3:45PM ESTKey PointsVanguard's growth-focused ETFs have rewarded patient investors. There are significant differences in allocation between the Vanguard Growth ETF and the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF.Before buying either ETF, it’s worth considering how its holdings would alter your overall portfolio's allocation. Investment management firm Vanguard is executing forward share splits on five of its equity index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) -- including 6-for-1 splits on the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG +0.11%) and the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG +0.12%). In a press release, Vanguard cited ETF market prices, bid-ask spreads, and trading volume as reasons it is issuing splits to improve investor outcomes. The splits will bring the Growth ETF and S&P 500 Growth ETF from triple-digit prices to around $70 per share or lower. The Growth ETF is $420.01 per share at the time of this writing, and the S&P 500 ETF is $391.94 per share. Here are the key differences between the two ETFs, and why both are great buys now. Image source: Getty Images. Two historically strong ETFs The Vanguard Growth ETF is the firm's flagship growth fund. It has $335.9 billion in net assets at the time of this writing, which is significantly more than $21.9 billion in net assets for the S&P 500 Growth ETF. The Growth ETF has slightly outperformed the S&P 500 Growth ETF over the last decade. But most funds have outperformed the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.11%). Data by YCharts.

The Vanguard Growth ETF has 151 holdings compared to 140 for the S&P 500 Growth ETF. Despite the similar historical performance and total number of holdings, the growth ETFs have noteworthy differences. Two key differences The biggest difference between the two funds is their allocation to Apple. The Growth ETF has a massive 12.2% weighting in Apple compared to just 6.4% for the S&P 500 Growth ETF. The lower Apple weighting allows the S&P 500 Growth ETF to allocate more to Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, Broadcom, and Meta Platforms (among other names). Interestingly, the Growth ETF also has higher weightings in Amazon and Tesla. Another key difference is that the S&P 500 Growth ETF allocates 3.1% to Berkshire Hathaway and 1.7% to JPMorgan Chase -- whereas the Growth ETF doesn't hold either of those stocks. So while the Growth ETF has just a 2% weighting in the financials sector, the S&P 500 Growth ETF is much higher at 9.7%. ExpandNYSEMKT: VUGVanguard Growth ETFToday's Change(0.11%) $0.47Current Price$442.03Key Data PointsDay's Range$431.95 - $442.9452wk Range$316.14 - $505.38Volume2.4M The better ETF to buy now Both ETFs are excellent low-cost ways to get exposure to leading growth stocks.

The Vanguard Growth ETF has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.07% for the S&P 500 Growth ETF. But even $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 Growth ETF would generate just $4 in additional annual fees compared to the Growth ETF. Given that the expense ratios are essentially a toss-up, the decision on which fund to buy now should come down to differences in how each fund weights its top holdings. Investors who want more exposure to Apple -- and to a lesser extent, Amazon, and Tesla -- should go with the Growth ETF. But investors who want less Apple and more exposure to Nvidia, other leading growth stocks, and financials should go with the S&P 500 Growth ETF. Given Apple and Tesla are my two least favorite "Magnificent Seven" stocks, the S&P 500 Growth ETF is my preferred choice -- but it all comes down to which megacap growth stocks you think are the best buys now and how each ETF complements your existing portfolio holdings.Read NextApr 1, 2026 •By Matt DiLallo7 Best ETFs to Buy in April 2026Mar 26, 2026 •By Jake LerchIWO vs. VUG: One Offers Broad Growth Exposure While the Other Has Lower FeesMar 25, 2026 •By Dan CaplingerWill Vanguard Growth Keep Crushing Its ETF Peers?Mar 24, 2026 •By David Jagielski, CPAThe Vanguard Fund That Can Turn $400 Per Month Into More Than $1.5 MillionMar 24, 2026 •By Dan CaplingerHow Vanguard Growth ETF Became a Consistent Market-BeaterMar 23, 2026 •By Dan CaplingerThis Vanguard ETF Could Be the Best for Growth Stock InvestorsAbout the AuthorDaniel Foelber is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst with extensive experience covering the broader stock market and publicly traded companies across energy, industrials, utilities, materials, technology, communications, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and financial stocks. Daniel looks for industry leaders offering compelling growth, value, or dividends to generate passive income. He has also written for energy trade publications and helped build oil and gas training modules. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a certificate in personal financial planning from the University of Houston. He believes the best investors are those who focus on fundamentals, remain steady through volatility, and filter out market noise.TMFpalomino2Stocks MentionedVanguard Growth ETFNYSEMKT: VUG$442.03(+0.11%)+$0.47S&P 500 IndexSNPINDEX: ^GSPC$6,582.69(+0.11%)+$7.37Vanguard Admiral Funds - Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETFNYSEMKT: VOOG$413.32(+0.07%)+$0.31*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.