AFSC vs VTI
abrdn Focused US Small Cap Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AFSC or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AFSC led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. AFSC is less concentrated, with 31.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AFSC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 45 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +20.16%Best | +12.43% |
| 1Y Return | +23.05%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.7% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $12,421 | $12,631Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 31, 1997 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2025 to Sep 28, 2026 (1.6 years).
AFSC vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.6 years both funds cover.
AFSC vs VTI Performance
abrdn Focused US Small Cap Active ETF (AFSC) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AFSC returned +23.05% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, AFSC is up 20.16% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 13.1% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.7% for AFSC and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFSC charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFSC currently yields 0.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
87.5% of AFSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.2% of VTI's money is in holdings AFSC also owns.
Most of AFSC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
39 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in AFSC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 45 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,128 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AFSC (97.2% of the fund), and 4 for AFSC that do not appear in VTI (9.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AFSC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHRAmerican Healthcare REIT Inc | 3.57% | 0.02% | 3.55% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 3.53% | 0.01% | 3.52% |
| MMSIMerit Medical Systems Inc | 3.40% | 0.01% | 3.39% |
| KWRQuaker Chemical Corp. | 3.20% | 0.00% | 3.20% |
| SBCFSeacoast Banking Corp Of Florida | 2.88% | 0.00% | 2.88% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 2.85% | 0.01% | 2.84% |
| QTWOQ2 Holdings, Inc. | 2.85% | 0.01% | 2.84% |
| ABCBAmeris Bancorp Common Stock Usd1.0 | 2.77% | 0.01% | 2.76% |
| PIImpinj Inc Common Stock Usd 0.001 | 2.75% | 0.01% | 2.74% |
| WTFCWintrust Financial Corp | 2.70% | 0.01% | 2.69% |
87.5% of AFSC is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFSC or VTI?
AFSC has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFSC or VTI?
Over the past year AFSC returned +23.05% vs +15.92% for VTI, so AFSC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AFSC annualized +14.51% vs +15.72% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFSC or VTI?
AFSC has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 13.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AFSC -21.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both AFSC and VTI?
AFSC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AFSC and VTI?
87.5% of AFSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.2% of VTI's is in holdings AFSC also owns. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in AFSC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFSC or VTI?
AFSC yields 0.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AFSC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AFSC led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. AFSC is less concentrated, with 31.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.