AWF vs VTI
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AWF or VTI?
High Yield Bond 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 | AWF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $974M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.98% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 1,273 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.46% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.28% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.30% | +21.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.64% | +11.77%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,957 | $17,443Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 28, 1993 | 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 3, 2026 (25.3 years).
AWF 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
AWF vs VTI Performance
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund (AWF) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AWF returned -4.28% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, AWF is down 1.46% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Over three years, AWF compounded at +8.30% per year against +21.10% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.64% and +11.77% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.11% annualized vs +1.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AWF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% 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 -58.1% for AWF 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AWF charges 1.00% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $3 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AWF currently yields 6.98% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 707 holdings in AWF and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 65.7% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 365 days apart, AWF as of Jun 30, 2025 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 707 positions we hold weights for in AWF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,273 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AWF 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, AWF or VTI?
AWF has an expense ratio of 1.00% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AWF or VTI?
Over the past year AWF returned -4.28% vs +21.44% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), AWF annualized +1.66% vs +8.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AWF or VTI?
AWF has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AWF -58.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both AWF and VTI?
AWF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, AWF or VTI?
AWF yields 6.98% while VTI yields 1.07%, so AWF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AWF?
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.