PGRO vs VTI
Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PGRO or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PGRO led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.1%.
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 | PGRO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $209M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 44 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +3.21% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.79% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.08%Best | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.95% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,069 | $17,303Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.1% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Sep 15, 2026 (5.3 years).
PGRO 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
PGRO vs VTI Performance
Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (PGRO) is an ETF from Putnam Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGRO returned +3.79% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, PGRO is up 3.21% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, PGRO compounded at +21.08% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.95% and +11.59% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 15.7% 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 -34.7% for PGRO and -25.4% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGRO 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, PGRO currently yields 0.02% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.9% of PGRO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 40.7% of VTI's money is in holdings PGRO also owns.
Most of PGRO is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
37 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in PGRO and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 44 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,113 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for PGRO (56.8% of the fund), and 2 for PGRO that do not appear in VTI (2.3%).
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 PGRO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 12.54% | 6.40% | 6.14% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 10.33% | 2.90% | 7.43% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.35% | 6.29% | 0.06% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.88% | 4.79% | 0.09% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.73% | 2.56% | 3.17% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.98% | 3.65% | 0.67% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 4.68% | 1.35% | 3.33% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.07% | 1.70% | 2.37% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.72% | 1.29% | 1.43% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.27% | 0.63% | 2.64% |
96.9% of PGRO 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, PGRO or VTI?
PGRO 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, PGRO or VTI?
Over the past year PGRO returned +3.79% vs +15.74% 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, PGRO or VTI?
PGRO has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PGRO -34.7% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both PGRO and VTI?
PGRO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 PGRO and VTI?
96.9% of PGRO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 40.7% of VTI's is in holdings PGRO also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in PGRO and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PGRO or VTI?
PGRO yields 0.02% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PGRO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PGRO led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.