PGJ vs VTI
Invesco Golden Dragon China ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PGJ or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | PGJ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $91M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.05% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 71 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -21.97% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | -21.65% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -3.50% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -11.79% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.2% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.4% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $5,341 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 9, 2004 to Sep 4, 2026 (21.7 years).
PGJ 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 21.7 years both funds cover.
PGJ vs VTI Performance
Invesco Golden Dragon China ETF (PGJ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGJ returned -21.65% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, PGJ is down 21.97% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, PGJ compounded at -3.50% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -11.79% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.41% annualized vs +2.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.2% 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 -78.4% for PGJ 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGJ charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGJ currently yields 3.05% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 69 holdings in PGJ and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 100.0% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in PGJ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 71 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGJ 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, PGJ or VTI?
PGJ has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGJ or VTI?
Over the past year PGJ returned -21.65% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), PGJ annualized +2.75% vs +9.41% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGJ or VTI?
PGJ has been the more volatile fund at 30.2% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PGJ -78.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both PGJ and VTI?
PGJ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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, PGJ or VTI?
PGJ yields 3.05% while VTI yields 1.07%, so PGJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PGJ?
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.