ASG vs VTI
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ASG or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and 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 | ASG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $374M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.94% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 125 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.97% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.73% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.81% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.11% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,989 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Liberty All Star Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 1986 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 11, 2026 (25.3 years).
ASG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ASG vs VTI Performance
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund Inc. (ASG) is an ETF from Liberty All Star Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ASG returned -2.73% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, ASG is up 1.97% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, ASG compounded at +8.81% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -2.11% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.05% annualized vs -0.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ASG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 15.3% 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 -80.7% for ASG 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASG charges 1.12% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $112 vs $3 annually, a gap of $109 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASG currently yields 7.94% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 78.0% of ASG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of ASG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
93 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in ASG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 125 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ASG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 3.82% | 6.32% | 2.50% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.46% | 5.84% | 4.38% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 3.71% | 2.88% | 0.83% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 1.18% | 3.81% | 2.63% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.44% | 3.17% | 2.73% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.09% | 2.46% | 1.37% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.19% | 1.40% | 0.21% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.68% | 1.79% | 1.11% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 0.54% | 1.30% | 0.76% |
| CRDOCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 1.66% | 0.06% | 1.60% |
78.0% of ASG 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, ASG or VTI?
ASG has an expense ratio of 1.12% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $109 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASG or VTI?
Over the past year ASG returned -2.73% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), ASG annualized -0.74% vs +8.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASG or VTI?
ASG has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ASG -80.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ASG and VTI?
ASG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 ASG and VTI?
At least 78.0% of ASG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 93 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in ASG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ASG or VTI?
ASG yields 7.94% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ASG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ASG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.