MGF vs VTI
Aberdeen Government Markets Income Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MGF or VTI?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | MGF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.03% |
| AUM | $99M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.74% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 465 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -3.68% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.09% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.51% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.74% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.6%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -55.5%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,160 | $17,537Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 28, 1987 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 14, 2026 (25.3 years).
MGF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MGF vs VTI Performance
Aberdeen Government Markets Income Fund (MGF) is an ETF from Aberdeen Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MGF returned -4.09% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, MGF is down 3.68% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, MGF compounded at +3.51% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -1.74% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.03% annualized vs -1.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 8.6% for MGF. 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 -55.5% for MGF 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 0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 176 holdings in MGF and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 68.3% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 61 days apart, MGF as of May 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 176 positions we hold weights for in MGF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 465 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MGF and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which performed better, MGF or VTI?
Over the past year MGF returned -4.09% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), MGF annualized -1.66% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MGF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 8.6% for MGF. Worst drawdown: MGF -55.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both MGF and VTI?
MGF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.10, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MGF or VTI?
MGF yields 7.74% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MGF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MGF?
VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.