LGH vs VTI
HCM Defender 500 Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LGH or VTI?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.5%.
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 | LGH | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $589M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 421 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.87% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.08% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.14% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.84% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,988 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.5% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Howard Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 9, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2019 to Sep 17, 2026 (6.9 years).
LGH 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
LGH vs VTI Performance
HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (LGH) is an ETF from Howard Capital Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LGH returned +11.08% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, LGH is up 5.87% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, LGH compounded at +19.14% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.84% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.51% annualized vs +15.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LGH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 17.2% 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 -29.6% for LGH 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LGH 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, LGH currently yields 0.36% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
80.2% of LGH's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 87.3% of VTI's money is in holdings LGH also owns.
Most of VTI is already inside LGH. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
414 positions in common, counted across the 416 positions we hold weights for in LGH and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 421 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 740 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LGH (10.3% of the fund), and 2 for LGH that do not appear in VTI (19.7%).
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 LGH | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.31% | 6.40% | 0.91% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.73% | 6.29% | 0.44% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.02% | 4.79% | 0.23% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.44% | 3.65% | 0.21% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.62% | 2.90% | 0.28% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.33% | 2.56% | 0.23% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.26% | 2.31% | 0.05% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.71% | 1.70% | 0.01% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.42% | 1.29% | 0.13% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.34% | 1.35% | 0.01% |
87.3% of VTI is already inside LGH.
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, LGH or VTI?
LGH 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, LGH or VTI?
Over the past year LGH returned +11.08% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), LGH annualized +15.21% vs +15.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LGH or VTI?
LGH has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 17.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: LGH -29.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both LGH and VTI?
LGH and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 LGH and VTI?
87.3% of VTI's money is in holdings LGH also owns. 87.3% of VTI's is in holdings LGH also owns. They hold 414 positions in common, counted across the 416 positions we hold weights for in LGH and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LGH or VTI?
LGH yields 0.36% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LGH?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.