Comparative Analysis of VUG and IWO Growth ETFs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 26 2026
0mins
Should l Buy BE?
Source: Fool
- Cost and Returns: VUG's expense ratio stands at 0.04%, significantly lower than IWO's 0.24%, although IWO's one-year return of 15.21% surpasses VUG's 13.9%, prompting investors to weigh cost against potential returns.
- Risk and Volatility: VUG has a maximum drawdown of -35.61%, compared to IWO's -42.02%, indicating that while IWO offers higher returns, it also carries greater risk, making it suitable for investors with a higher risk tolerance.
- Portfolio Composition: IWO's portfolio consists of 1,102 small-cap growth stocks evenly distributed across sectors like healthcare, industrials, and technology, whereas VUG is heavily concentrated in large-cap tech stocks, with three companies exceeding 10% weight, potentially leading to increased volatility.
- Market Performance Impact: Small-cap stocks in IWO may experience larger price swings during economic uncertainty, while VUG's heavy reliance on tech stocks could adversely affect its performance in market downturns, necessitating careful ETF selection based on market conditions.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BE?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BE
Wall Street analysts forecast BE stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
9 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 295.250
Low
71.00
Averages
142.89
High
184.00
Current: 295.250
Low
71.00
Averages
142.89
High
184.00
About BE
Bloom Energy Corporation is engaged in stationary fuel cell power generation by market share. The Company provides distributed energy technology solutions to customers. The Company manufactures advanced and versatile fuel cell energy platforms, supporting the commercial availability of two products: the Bloom Energy Server for generating electricity and the Bloom Electrolyzer for producing hydrogen. With approximately 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of Energy Server systems deployed in more than 1,000 locations and nine countries. Its solid oxide fuel cell technology platform is the foundation for its Energy Server system and Bloom Electrolyzer. The Bloom Energy Server system is designed to deliver reliable, resilient, clean and affordable energy for utilities and organizations alike. Its Energy Server system is designed to deliver reliable electricity. The Bloom Electrolyzer is designed to provide hydrogen solutions based on the same solid oxide platform as its Energy Server systems.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Small Cap Investors See Huge Gains in April
- Strong Small Cap Performance: In April, the Russell 2000 surged over 12%, marking its best monthly performance since November 2020, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 10.4% gain, indicating a robust recovery potential for small caps.
- Earnings Expectations Rise: Bank of America analysts expect small caps to continue leading, driven by EPS and manufacturing recovery, suggesting increasing market confidence that may attract more investors to this segment.
- ETF Investment Opportunities: Bank of America highlighted the iShares US Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF), which is up over 11% this year with an expense ratio of just 0.15%, and boasts over 80% of its companies being profitable, showcasing its superior earnings potential compared to the Russell 2000.
- International Small Cap Value: The Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) has risen 13% year-to-date with a 0.36% expense ratio, outperforming U.S. large growth stocks since COVID, providing a solid opportunity for diversification in small-cap investments.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the AI Revolution
- Forward-Looking Investment: Leopold Aschenbrenner, a former OpenAI researcher, anticipates artificial general intelligence (AGI) could arrive within years, leading him to establish the Situational Awareness LP hedge fund focused on investing in AI infrastructure bottlenecks, as outlined in his 165-page manifesto, 'Situational Awareness: The Decade Ahead.'
- Surging Power Demand: In Q4 2025, Aschenbrenner acquired 10.1 million shares of Bloom Energy worth $875 million, leveraging his insight into the electricity demand from AI models, resulting in Bloom's stock price skyrocketing from an average of $105 to $290.81, yielding an estimated 176% return.
- Intel's Growth Potential: The Situational Awareness Fund purchased 20.2 million call options in Intel during Q1 2025, as Aschenbrenner identifies Intel's unique position at the intersection of advanced process technology and custom silicon, making it a compelling multibagger candidate amid rising AI and data center demands.
- Deepening Strategic Partnerships: Intel's collaboration with industry giants like Nvidia and Alphabet is intensifying, with its Xeon 6 processors selected for Nvidia's DGX Rubin NVL8 systems, highlighting its critical role in AI infrastructure and further solidifying its market position.
See More
AI Investment Opportunities Unveiled by Hedge Fund Manager
- Successful Investment Strategy: Leopold Aschenbrenner's deep understanding of AI infrastructure bottlenecks led to a successful purchase of 10.1 million shares of Bloom Energy at around $105 each in Q4 2025, with the current share price soaring to $290.81, yielding an estimated 176% return, demonstrating the effectiveness of his forward-looking investment approach.
- Insight into Energy Demand: Aschenbrenner anticipated that training AI models would significantly increase electricity demand, and Bloom Energy's solid-oxide fuel cells provide an efficient on-site modular power solution for data centers, helping clients bypass congested utilities and ensuring reliable power supply around the clock.
- Intel's Potential: The Situational Awareness fund purchased 20.2 million call options in Intel in Q1 2025, as Aschenbrenner believes Intel's unique position in advanced process technology and custom silicon makes it a compelling multibagger candidate, especially amid growing demand for AI and data centers.
- Market Trend Awareness: Intel's data center and AI business reported a 22% year-over-year growth, while its foundry business grew by 16%, indicating the company is deeply integrating into hyperscale AI stacks, and Aschenbrenner's investment strategy is based on keen insights into these market trends.
See More
Apple, Amazon, and TSMC Deliver Earnings Triple Plays
- Earnings Highlights: Apple, Amazon, and TSMC have all achieved a 'triple play' this quarter, delivering growth in earnings, revenue, and guidance, which underscores strong market demand and business resilience, further solidifying their leadership positions in their respective industries.
- Market Reaction: Investors reacted positively to the earnings reports from these three companies, driving stock prices higher, which reflects a renewed confidence in tech stocks and may attract more capital inflows into the technology sector.
- Industry Impact: The robust performance of these companies not only enhances their market valuations but may also lead to upward revisions in earnings expectations for other tech firms, creating a virtuous cycle that could further drive the recovery of the entire industry.
- Future Outlook: As the global economy gradually recovers, the success stories of Apple, Amazon, and TSMC may inspire other companies to adopt similar growth strategies, fostering innovation and investment that drive long-term growth.
See More
Exceptional Month for Large-Cap Investors with Significant Gains
- Bloom Energy Leads: Bloom Energy Corporation (BE) achieved an impressive 112.81% gain over the past month, surpassing market expectations and showcasing its strong growth potential in the renewable energy sector.
- Intel and Sandisk Follow: Intel Corporation (INTC) and Sandisk Corporation (SNDK) recorded gains of 90.12% and 79.00% respectively, reflecting strong market confidence in the semiconductor industry's recovery while increasing investor interest in these companies.
- Strong Buy Ratings: Sandisk (SNDK) holds a Strong Buy Quant Rating of 4.99, while other stocks like Sanmina (SANM) and Galaxy Digital (GLXY) also received high ratings of up to 4.84, indicating strong market optimism that may attract more capital inflows.
- Overall Market Performance: Over the past month, stocks across various sectors, particularly heavy electrical equipment and semiconductors, have performed exceptionally well, suggesting a potential signal for future economic recovery that could draw more investors to large-cap stocks.
See More
Three Major Retirement Moves Post Tax Season
- Financial Review: After completing taxes, it's advisable to review your balance sheet and calculate net worth to assess financial health; if liabilities exceed assets, focus on reducing debt to improve financial stability.
- Portfolio Adjustment: Consider capital gains and losses; for instance, if investments like Bloom Energy (BE) have surged 1,600% over the past year, it may be wise to take profits and redistribute funds to enhance portfolio diversification.
- Advance Retirement Contributions: It's recommended to start saving for 2026 retirement goals early by utilizing tax refunds to contribute to IRA or Roth IRA, allowing more time for compounding growth.
- Integrating Taxes with Retirement Planning: View taxes as part of a broader financial assessment and future planning process, ensuring regular reviews of finances, portfolio adjustments, and prioritizing retirement savings to secure long-term retirement success.
See More
Small Cap Investors See Huge Gains in April
- Strong Small Cap Performance: In April, the Russell 2000 surged over 12%, marking its best monthly performance since November 2020, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 10.4% gain, indicating a robust recovery potential for small caps.
- Earnings Expectations Rise: Bank of America analysts expect small caps to continue leading, driven by EPS and manufacturing recovery, suggesting increasing market confidence that may attract more investors to this segment.
- ETF Investment Opportunities: Bank of America highlighted the iShares US Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF), which is up over 11% this year with an expense ratio of just 0.15%, and boasts over 80% of its companies being profitable, showcasing its superior earnings potential compared to the Russell 2000.
- International Small Cap Value: The Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) has risen 13% year-to-date with a 0.36% expense ratio, outperforming U.S. large growth stocks since COVID, providing a solid opportunity for diversification in small-cap investments.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the AI Revolution
- Forward-Looking Investment: Leopold Aschenbrenner, a former OpenAI researcher, anticipates artificial general intelligence (AGI) could arrive within years, leading him to establish the Situational Awareness LP hedge fund focused on investing in AI infrastructure bottlenecks, as outlined in his 165-page manifesto, 'Situational Awareness: The Decade Ahead.'
- Surging Power Demand: In Q4 2025, Aschenbrenner acquired 10.1 million shares of Bloom Energy worth $875 million, leveraging his insight into the electricity demand from AI models, resulting in Bloom's stock price skyrocketing from an average of $105 to $290.81, yielding an estimated 176% return.
- Intel's Growth Potential: The Situational Awareness Fund purchased 20.2 million call options in Intel during Q1 2025, as Aschenbrenner identifies Intel's unique position at the intersection of advanced process technology and custom silicon, making it a compelling multibagger candidate amid rising AI and data center demands.
- Deepening Strategic Partnerships: Intel's collaboration with industry giants like Nvidia and Alphabet is intensifying, with its Xeon 6 processors selected for Nvidia's DGX Rubin NVL8 systems, highlighting its critical role in AI infrastructure and further solidifying its market position.
See More
AI Investment Opportunities Unveiled by Hedge Fund Manager
- Successful Investment Strategy: Leopold Aschenbrenner's deep understanding of AI infrastructure bottlenecks led to a successful purchase of 10.1 million shares of Bloom Energy at around $105 each in Q4 2025, with the current share price soaring to $290.81, yielding an estimated 176% return, demonstrating the effectiveness of his forward-looking investment approach.
- Insight into Energy Demand: Aschenbrenner anticipated that training AI models would significantly increase electricity demand, and Bloom Energy's solid-oxide fuel cells provide an efficient on-site modular power solution for data centers, helping clients bypass congested utilities and ensuring reliable power supply around the clock.
- Intel's Potential: The Situational Awareness fund purchased 20.2 million call options in Intel in Q1 2025, as Aschenbrenner believes Intel's unique position in advanced process technology and custom silicon makes it a compelling multibagger candidate, especially amid growing demand for AI and data centers.
- Market Trend Awareness: Intel's data center and AI business reported a 22% year-over-year growth, while its foundry business grew by 16%, indicating the company is deeply integrating into hyperscale AI stacks, and Aschenbrenner's investment strategy is based on keen insights into these market trends.
See More
Apple, Amazon, and TSMC Deliver Earnings Triple Plays
- Earnings Highlights: Apple, Amazon, and TSMC have all achieved a 'triple play' this quarter, delivering growth in earnings, revenue, and guidance, which underscores strong market demand and business resilience, further solidifying their leadership positions in their respective industries.
- Market Reaction: Investors reacted positively to the earnings reports from these three companies, driving stock prices higher, which reflects a renewed confidence in tech stocks and may attract more capital inflows into the technology sector.
- Industry Impact: The robust performance of these companies not only enhances their market valuations but may also lead to upward revisions in earnings expectations for other tech firms, creating a virtuous cycle that could further drive the recovery of the entire industry.
- Future Outlook: As the global economy gradually recovers, the success stories of Apple, Amazon, and TSMC may inspire other companies to adopt similar growth strategies, fostering innovation and investment that drive long-term growth.
See More
Exceptional Month for Large-Cap Investors with Significant Gains
- Bloom Energy Leads: Bloom Energy Corporation (BE) achieved an impressive 112.81% gain over the past month, surpassing market expectations and showcasing its strong growth potential in the renewable energy sector.
- Intel and Sandisk Follow: Intel Corporation (INTC) and Sandisk Corporation (SNDK) recorded gains of 90.12% and 79.00% respectively, reflecting strong market confidence in the semiconductor industry's recovery while increasing investor interest in these companies.
- Strong Buy Ratings: Sandisk (SNDK) holds a Strong Buy Quant Rating of 4.99, while other stocks like Sanmina (SANM) and Galaxy Digital (GLXY) also received high ratings of up to 4.84, indicating strong market optimism that may attract more capital inflows.
- Overall Market Performance: Over the past month, stocks across various sectors, particularly heavy electrical equipment and semiconductors, have performed exceptionally well, suggesting a potential signal for future economic recovery that could draw more investors to large-cap stocks.
See More
Three Major Retirement Moves Post Tax Season
- Financial Review: After completing taxes, it's advisable to review your balance sheet and calculate net worth to assess financial health; if liabilities exceed assets, focus on reducing debt to improve financial stability.
- Portfolio Adjustment: Consider capital gains and losses; for instance, if investments like Bloom Energy (BE) have surged 1,600% over the past year, it may be wise to take profits and redistribute funds to enhance portfolio diversification.
- Advance Retirement Contributions: It's recommended to start saving for 2026 retirement goals early by utilizing tax refunds to contribute to IRA or Roth IRA, allowing more time for compounding growth.
- Integrating Taxes with Retirement Planning: View taxes as part of a broader financial assessment and future planning process, ensuring regular reviews of finances, portfolio adjustments, and prioritizing retirement savings to secure long-term retirement success.
See More
