MGC vs VTI
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MGC or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MGC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $10.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 177 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.77%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +17.30%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.72%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.20%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.0%Best | -54.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,424Best | $17,908 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.5% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 24, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (18.7 years).
MGC 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 18.7 years both funds cover.
MGC vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF (MGC) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MGC returned +17.30% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MGC is up 12.77% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, MGC compounded at +22.72% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.20% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, MGC has the edge at +10.00% annualized vs +9.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.6% for MGC. 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 -53.0% for MGC and -54.5% 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 0.99. 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 VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.6% of MGC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 74.1% of VTI's money is in holdings MGC also owns.
Most of MGC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
171 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in MGC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 177 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 172 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 980 positions MGC does not, 23.3% of the fund.
Largest: HWM 0.16%, PWR 0.14%, MPC 0.13%, VLO 0.13%, VRT 0.13%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MGC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.75% | 6.40% | 2.35% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.60% | 6.29% | 2.31% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.55% | 4.79% | 1.76% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.99% | 3.65% | 1.34% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.96% | 2.90% | 1.06% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.49% | 2.56% | 0.93% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.15% | 2.31% | 0.84% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.32% | 1.70% | 0.62% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.85% | 1.35% | 0.50% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.79% | 1.31% | 0.48% |
99.6% of MGC 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, MGC or VTI?
MGC has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MGC or VTI?
Over the past year MGC returned +17.30% vs +16.08% for VTI, so MGC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), MGC annualized +10.00% vs +9.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MGC or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.6% for MGC. Worst drawdown: MGC -53.0% vs VTI -54.5%.
Should I hold both MGC and VTI?
MGC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VTI?
99.6% of MGC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 74.1% of VTI's is in holdings MGC also owns. They hold 171 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in MGC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MGC or VTI?
MGC yields 0.89% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MGC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MGC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.