AOD vs VTI
Abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AOD or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AOD led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. AOD is less concentrated, with 28.5% 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 | AOD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.16% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.73% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 86 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.13%Best | +14.05% |
| 1Y Return | +24.70%Best | +16.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.31%Best | +22.65% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.97% | +12.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,600 | $17,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2007 to Sep 22, 2026 (19.7 years).
AOD 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
AOD vs VTI Performance
Abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund (AOD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AOD returned +24.70% while VTI returned +16.93%. Year to date, AOD is up 17.13% versus a gain of 14.05% for VTI.
Over three years, AOD compounded at +24.31% per year against +22.65% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.97% and +12.46% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs -4.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AOD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 15.9% 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 -88.1% for AOD and -56.6% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AOD charges 1.16% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $116 vs $3 annually, a gap of $113 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AOD currently yields 11.73% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
55.6% of AOD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 30.7% of VTI's money is in holdings AOD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
46 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AOD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 86 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,106 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AOD (66.8% of the fund), and 2 for AOD that do not appear in VTI (2.0%).
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 AOD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.21% | 6.29% | 3.08% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.54% | 6.40% | 3.86% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.22% | 4.79% | 1.57% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.48% | 2.56% | 0.92% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.49% | 2.31% | 1.18% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.67% | 1.31% | 0.36% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.44% | 0.55% | 0.89% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.33% | 0.61% | 0.72% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.30% | 0.57% | 0.73% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.42% | 0.40% | 1.02% |
55.6% of AOD 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, AOD or VTI?
AOD has an expense ratio of 1.16% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $113 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AOD or VTI?
Over the past year AOD returned +24.70% vs +16.93% for VTI, so AOD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), AOD annualized -4.06% vs +9.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AOD or VTI?
AOD has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AOD -88.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both AOD and VTI?
AOD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 AOD and VTI?
55.6% of AOD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 30.7% of VTI's is in holdings AOD also owns. They hold 46 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AOD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AOD or VTI?
AOD yields 11.73% while VTI yields 1.03%, so AOD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AOD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AOD led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. AOD is less concentrated, with 28.5% 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.