MUSI vs VOO
American Century Multisector Income ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MUSI or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y 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 | MUSI | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $262M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 5.49% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 419 | 506 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.4%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5.2 years | $10,894 | $19,063Best |
| Fund Family | American Century Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 29, 2021 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 28 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MUSI has data through Sep 11, 2026 and VOO through Oct 9, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 5.4% for MUSI. 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 -13.9% for MUSI and -24.5% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUSI charges 0.38% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUSI currently yields 5.49% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VOO's money is in holdings MUSI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MUSI, our book for it covers 40.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in MUSI and 494 in VOO, against full books of 419 and 506.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MUSI | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc V/R /Perp | 0.44% | 0.34% | 0.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUSI and VOO 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 is cheaper, MUSI or VOO?
MUSI has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MUSI or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 5.4% for MUSI. Worst drawdown: MUSI -13.9% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both MUSI and VOO?
MUSI and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, MUSI or VOO?
MUSI yields 5.49% while VOO yields 1.04%, so MUSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MUSI?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.