PCLG vs VTI
Polen Focus Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PCLG or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y.
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 | PCLG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $92M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.04% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 27 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -8.32% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.44% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 13.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Polen Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
PCLG 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.
PCLG vs VTI Performance
Polen Focus Growth ETF (PCLG) is an ETF from Polen Capital and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PCLG returned -10.44% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, PCLG is down 8.32% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 13.2% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCLG charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCLG currently yields 0.04% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 89.4% of PCLG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of PCLG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
22 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in PCLG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 27 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PCLG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.95% | 6.32% | 0.63% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 7.63% | 3.81% | 3.82% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.88% | 2.46% | 4.42% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 7.72% | 1.40% | 6.32% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.83% | 3.17% | 2.66% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 6.55% | 2.27% | 4.28% |
| VVisa Inc | 6.08% | 0.77% | 5.31% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 5.73% | 0.56% | 5.17% |
| NOWServicenow, Inc. | 6.05% | 0.14% | 5.91% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 4.21% | 0.35% | 3.86% |
89.4% of PCLG 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, PCLG or VTI?
PCLG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PCLG or VTI?
Over the past year PCLG returned -10.44% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PCLG or VTI?
PCLG has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 13.2% for VTI.
Should I hold both PCLG and VTI?
PCLG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PCLG and VTI?
At least 89.4% of PCLG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in PCLG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PCLG or VTI?
PCLG yields 0.04% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PCLG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.