PCM vs VTI
PCM Fund Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PCM or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. 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 | PCM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.63% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $69M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.99% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 318 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -9.14% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.50% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -8.40% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.79% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,824 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 2, 1993 | 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 11, 2026 (25.3 years).
PCM 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.
PCM vs VTI Performance
PCM Fund Inc. (PCM) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PCM returned -11.50% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, PCM is down 9.14% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, PCM compounded at -8.40% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -4.79% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.05% annualized vs -1.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -73.2% for PCM 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 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCM charges 1.63% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $163 vs $3 annually, a gap of $160 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCM currently yields 13.99% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 16 holdings in PCM and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 7.7% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, PCM as of Sep 30, 2025 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 16 positions we hold weights for in PCM and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 318 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCM 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 is cheaper, PCM or VTI?
PCM has an expense ratio of 1.63% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $160 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PCM or VTI?
Over the past year PCM returned -11.50% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), PCM annualized -1.49% vs +8.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PCM or VTI?
PCM has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PCM -73.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both PCM and VTI?
PCM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, 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, PCM or VTI?
PCM yields 13.99% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PCM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PCM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. 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.