AQLT vs VTI
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AQLT or VTI?
AQLT has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AQLT led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%.
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 | AQLT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $339M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 515 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +13.99% | +14.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.58%Best | +16.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.76% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 12.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.8%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $13,062Best | $12,967 |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2024 to Oct 5, 2026 (1.8 years).
AQLT 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
AQLT vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Global Quality Factor ETF (AQLT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AQLT returned +17.58% while VTI returned +16.22%. Year to date, AQLT is up 13.99% versus a gain of 14.14% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 12.4% for AQLT. 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 -16.8% for AQLT 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AQLT charges 0.20% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AQLT currently yields 0.98% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
71.7% of AQLT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 46.4% of VTI's money is in holdings AQLT also owns.
Most of AQLT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
127 positions in common, counted across the 482 positions we hold weights for in AQLT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 515 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,024 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AQLT (51.0% of the fund), and 8 for AQLT that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
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 AQLT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.38% | 6.29% | 0.91% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.78% | 6.40% | 1.62% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.74% | 4.79% | 0.95% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.25% | 2.56% | 1.69% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.59% | 1.70% | 2.89% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.36% | 2.90% | 0.54% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.86% | 2.31% | 0.45% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.80% | 1.35% | 1.45% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.26% | 0.83% | 1.43% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.88% | 0.86% | 1.02% |
71.7% of AQLT 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, AQLT or VTI?
AQLT has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AQLT or VTI?
Over the past year AQLT returned +17.58% vs +16.22% for VTI, so AQLT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AQLT annualized +16.00% vs +15.53% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AQLT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 12.4% for AQLT. Worst drawdown: AQLT -16.8% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both AQLT and VTI?
AQLT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AQLT and VTI?
71.7% of AQLT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 46.4% of VTI's is in holdings AQLT also owns. They hold 127 positions in common, counted across the 482 positions we hold weights for in AQLT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AQLT or VTI?
AQLT yields 0.98% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AQLT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AQLT led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.