MFSG vs VTI
MFS Active Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MFSG or VTI?
Large Cap Growth 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 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.8%.
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 | MFSG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $375M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.07% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 69 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.40% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.21% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.2% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,864 | $12,742Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | MFS Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 5, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
MFSG 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MFSG vs VTI Performance
MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) is an ETF from MFS Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFSG returned +7.21% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MFSG is up 6.40% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MFSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 12.8% 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 -23.2% for MFSG and -19.3% 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFSG charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFSG currently yields 0.07% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.0% of MFSG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 42.7% of VTI's money is in holdings MFSG also owns.
Most of MFSG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
59 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in MFSG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 69 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,092 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MFSG (54.9% of the fund), and 4 for MFSG that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
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 MFSG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 14.74% | 6.40% | 8.34% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 11.05% | 2.90% | 8.15% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.02% | 6.29% | 0.27% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.15% | 4.79% | 0.36% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.87% | 3.65% | 0.78% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.28% | 2.56% | 0.72% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.51% | 1.70% | 0.81% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.26% | 0.83% | 2.43% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.23% | 1.29% | 0.06% |
| GEVGe Vernova, Inc. | 1.97% | 0.37% | 1.60% |
93.0% of MFSG 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, MFSG or VTI?
MFSG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFSG or VTI?
Over the past year MFSG returned +7.21% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MFSG annualized +9.96% vs +14.41% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFSG or VTI?
MFSG has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MFSG -23.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MFSG and VTI?
MFSG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 MFSG and VTI?
93.0% of MFSG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 42.7% of VTI's is in holdings MFSG also owns. They hold 59 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in MFSG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MFSG or VTI?
MFSG yields 0.07% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MFSG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.