The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) remains a popular choice for broad market exposure. However, some investors are looking beyond it for higher return potential in 2026. Using TipRanks’ Best Vanguard ETFs tool, we identified the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG), Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX), and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) as potential funds, each offering the possibility of 20%+ upside.
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According to TipRanks’ ETF analyst consensus—based on a weighted average of ratings for each fund’s holdings—VOX and VCR offer upside potential of around 24%. Meanwhile, VUG offers upside potential of around 22%.
Let’s break it down.
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR)
The Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) gives investors exposure to leading consumer brands like Amazon (AMZN), Tesla (TSLA), and Home Depot (HD). These companies tend to dominate their industries and capture spending even when the economy slows.
In volatile markets, strong brand power and pricing flexibility can help these businesses protect margins. If consumer spending stays resilient, VCR could outperform broader market funds over time.
VCR has a beta of 1.14 and has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG)
The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) invests in large-cap U.S. growth stocks across sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary. While it leans toward high-growth companies, it still offers more diversification than tech-heavy ETFs. Notably, its top three holdings are Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), and Microsoft (MSFT).
With a beta of 1.26, VUG tends to be more volatile than the broader market, meaning it can deliver stronger gains during rallies but may also see sharper declines during market pullbacks.
Overall, VUG holds 156 stocks and manages total assets of approximately $225.60 billion.
Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX)
The Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) provides exposure to U.S. companies in the communication services sector, including telecom providers, media companies, and major internet platforms. It tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, which focuses on businesses involved in wireless services, entertainment, social media, and digital advertising.
Its top 3 holdings are Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Netflix (NFLX). In total, VOX has 116 stocks with total assets worth $5.90 billion.