LCR vs VTI
Leuthold Core ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LCR or VTI?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | LCR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.83% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $69M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 36 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.4%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,558 | $19,010Best |
| Fund Family | Leuthold Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 601 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LCR has data through Jan 17, 2025 and VTI through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 6, 2020 to Jan 17, 2025 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 10.1% for LCR. 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 -17.4% for LCR 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LCR charges 0.83% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $83 vs $3 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LCR currently yields 1.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 34 holdings in LCR and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 100.0% and 90.6% 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 49 days apart, LCR as of Aug 18, 2026 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 34 positions we hold weights for in LCR and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 36 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LCR 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, LCR or VTI?
LCR has an expense ratio of 0.83% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LCR or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 10.1% for LCR. Worst drawdown: LCR -17.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both LCR and VTI?
LCR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, LCR or VTI?
LCR yields 1.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so LCR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LCR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.