MLRG vs VTI
iShares MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MLRG or VTI?
MLRG has been ahead.
MLRG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | MLRG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $1.3B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 530 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +14.07%Best | +13.71% |
| 1Y Return | +13.57%Best | +13.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.77%Best | +24.28% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.08%Best | +11.43% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -52.8%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,686Best | $17,180 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Oct 28, 2026 (22.3 years).
MLRG 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.
MLRG vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI USA ETF (MLRG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MLRG returned +13.57% while VTI returned +13.48%. Year to date, MLRG is up 14.07% versus a gain of 13.71% for VTI.
Over three years, MLRG compounded at +24.77% per year against +24.28% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.08% and +11.43% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, MLRG has the edge at +9.61% annualized vs +9.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.6% for MLRG. 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 -52.8% for MLRG 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLRG charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, MLRG currently yields 0.98% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.0% of MLRG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 89.8% of VTI's money is in holdings MLRG also owns.
Most of MLRG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
515 positions in common, counted across the 530 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 530 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 651 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MLRG (8.2% of the fund), and 9 for MLRG that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
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 MLRG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.00% | 6.88% | 1.12% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.17% | 6.30% | 0.87% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.67% | 5.11% | 0.56% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.64% | 3.41% | 0.23% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.95% | 2.70% | 0.25% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.39% | 2.38% | 0.01% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.37% | 2.12% | 0.25% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.38% | 1.70% | 0.68% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.84% | 1.46% | 0.38% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.49% | 1.40% | 0.09% |
99.0% of MLRG 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, MLRG or VTI?
MLRG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, MLRG or VTI?
Over the past year MLRG returned +13.57% vs +13.48% for VTI, so MLRG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), MLRG annualized +9.61% vs +9.47% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLRG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.6% for MLRG. Worst drawdown: MLRG -52.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both MLRG and VTI?
MLRG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 MLRG and VTI?
99.0% of MLRG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 89.8% of VTI's is in holdings MLRG also owns. They hold 515 positions in common, counted across the 530 positions we hold weights for in MLRG and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLRG or VTI?
MLRG yields 0.98% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MLRG?
MLRG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.