LGI vs VTI
Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LGI or VTI?
Large Cap Growth 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 35.6%.
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 | LGI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.72% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | - | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.75% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 108 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.97% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.24% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.48% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.05% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,414 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.6% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Lazard Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 24, 2004 to Sep 17, 2026 (22.3 years).
LGI 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 22.3 years both funds cover.
LGI vs VTI Performance
Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund (LGI) is an ETF from Lazard Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LGI returned +8.24% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, LGI is up 5.97% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, LGI compounded at +17.48% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.05% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.55% annualized vs +1.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LGI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 15.2% 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 -67.2% for LGI 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LGI charges 1.72% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $172 vs $3 annually, a gap of $169 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LGI currently yields 9.75% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
49.7% of LGI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 24.4% of VTI's money is in holdings LGI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
32 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in LGI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 108 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,119 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LGI (73.1% of the fund), and 1 for LGI that do not appear in VTI (4.4%).
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 LGI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.06% | 6.29% | 2.23% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.74% | 4.79% | 2.05% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.04% | 3.65% | 0.61% |
| KLACKla Corp | 4.66% | 0.33% | 4.33% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.00% | 2.90% | 0.90% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 2.79% | 0.27% | 2.52% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.18% | 0.83% | 1.35% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 2.19% | 0.24% | 1.95% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.70% | 1.70% | 1.00% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.69% | 0.42% | 1.27% |
49.7% of LGI 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, LGI or VTI?
LGI has an expense ratio of 1.72% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $169 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LGI or VTI?
Over the past year LGI returned +8.24% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), LGI annualized +1.68% vs +9.55% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LGI or VTI?
LGI has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: LGI -67.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both LGI and VTI?
LGI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 LGI and VTI?
49.7% of LGI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 24.4% of VTI's is in holdings LGI also owns. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in LGI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LGI or VTI?
LGI yields 9.75% while VTI yields 1.03%, so LGI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LGI?
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 35.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.