GURU vs VTI
Global X Guru Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GURU or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GURU led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. GURU is less concentrated, with 14.4% 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 | GURU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.08% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 88 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.45% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.78% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.19%Best | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.61% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,772 | $17,303Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.4%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2012 to Sep 15, 2026 (14.3 years).
GURU 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 14.3 years both funds cover.
GURU vs VTI Performance
Global X Guru Index ETF (GURU) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GURU returned +13.78% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, GURU is up 8.45% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, GURU compounded at +22.19% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.61% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +12.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GURU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.4% 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 -38.5% for GURU 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GURU charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GURU currently yields 0.08% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
90.0% of GURU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 38.3% of VTI's money is in holdings GURU also owns.
Most of GURU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
72 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in GURU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 88 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,089 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GURU (59.1% of the fund), and 2 for GURU that do not appear in VTI (2.5%).
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 GURU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.37% | 6.29% | 4.92% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.24% | 6.40% | 5.16% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.34% | 4.79% | 3.45% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.25% | 3.65% | 2.40% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.25% | 2.90% | 1.65% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.21% | 2.56% | 1.35% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.30% | 1.70% | 0.40% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.25% | 1.35% | 0.10% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.26% | 1.31% | 0.05% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.18% | 1.29% | 0.11% |
90.0% of GURU 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, GURU or VTI?
GURU has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GURU or VTI?
Over the past year GURU returned +13.78% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), GURU annualized +12.05% vs +13.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GURU or VTI?
GURU has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GURU -38.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GURU and VTI?
GURU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 GURU and VTI?
90.0% of GURU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 38.3% of VTI's is in holdings GURU also owns. They hold 72 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in GURU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GURU or VTI?
GURU yields 0.08% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GURU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GURU led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. GURU is less concentrated, with 14.4% 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.