MGC vs VOO
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MGC or VOO?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MGC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%.
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 | MGC | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $10.5B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 177 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +14.76%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +17.95%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.63%Best | +23.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.57%Best | +13.85% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.1%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,740Best | $19,128 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.5% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
MGC vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
MGC vs VOO Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF (MGC) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MGC returned +17.95% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, MGC is up 14.76% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, MGC compounded at +24.63% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +14.57% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, MGC has the edge at +13.96% annualized vs +13.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MGC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -33.1% for MGC and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MGC charges 0.05% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $3 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MGC currently yields 0.89% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
99.4% of MGC's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 83.5% of VOO's money is in holdings MGC also owns.
Most of MGC is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
169 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in MGC and 494 in VOO, against full books of 177 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 172 and 494 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 318 positions MGC does not, 15.6% of the fund.
Largest: HWM 0.18%, PWR 0.16%, CMI 0.14%, DDOG 0.14%, MPC 0.14%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MGC | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.75% | 7.55% | 1.20% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.60% | 7.05% | 1.55% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.55% | 5.36% | 1.19% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.99% | 4.13% | 0.86% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.96% | 3.24% | 0.72% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.49% | 2.86% | 0.63% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.15% | 2.62% | 0.53% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.32% | 1.90% | 0.42% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.85% | 1.41% | 0.44% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.79% | 1.46% | 0.33% |
99.4% of MGC is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MGC or VOO?
MGC has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MGC or VOO?
Over the past year MGC returned +17.95% vs +17.31% for VOO, so MGC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MGC annualized +13.96% vs +13.49% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MGC or VOO?
MGC has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: MGC -33.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MGC and VOO?
MGC and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 MGC and VOO?
99.4% of MGC's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 83.5% of VOO's is in holdings MGC also owns. They hold 169 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in MGC and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, MGC or VOO?
MGC yields 0.89% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MGC?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MGC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.