AGEM vs VTI
abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AGEM or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AGEM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window.
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 | AGEM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $373M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.90% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 96 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +27.93%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +45.90%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +41.71%Best | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +41.71%Best | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.4% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.5%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $57,148Best | $17,474 |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 4, 1993 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 22, 2009 to Sep 4, 2026 (17.1 years).
AGEM 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 17.1 years both funds cover.
AGEM vs VTI Performance
abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AGEM returned +45.90% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, AGEM is up 27.93% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, AGEM compounded at +41.71% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +41.71% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.33% annualized vs +5.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.4% compared with 14.8% 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 -33.5% for AGEM and -35.0% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGEM charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGEM currently yields 1.90% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 89 holdings in AGEM and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 99.7% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in AGEM and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 96 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AGEM and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGEM or VTI?
AGEM has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGEM or VTI?
Over the past year AGEM returned +45.90% vs +20.00% for VTI, so AGEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), AGEM annualized +5.86% vs +13.33% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGEM or VTI?
AGEM has been the more volatile fund at 23.4% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AGEM -33.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both AGEM and VTI?
AGEM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGEM or VTI?
AGEM yields 1.90% while VTI yields 1.07%, so AGEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AGEM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AGEM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.