PGZ vs VTI
Principal Real Estate Income Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PGZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend 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 | PGZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.16% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.65% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 110 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.04% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.69% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.01% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.24% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.8% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,636 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.7 years).
PGZ 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
PGZ vs VTI Performance
Principal Real Estate Income Fund (PGZ) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGZ returned +1.69% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, PGZ is up 4.04% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, PGZ compounded at +13.01% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.24% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.27% annualized vs -1.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 15.9% 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 -68.8% for PGZ 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGZ charges 2.16% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $216 vs $3 annually, a gap of $213 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGZ currently yields 11.65% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 61 holdings in PGZ and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 59.8% 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, 21 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 150 days apart, PGZ as of Jan 31, 2026 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.
21 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in PGZ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 110 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PGZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQIXEquinix, Inc. | 2.98% | 0.14% | 2.84% |
| WELLWelltower Inc | 2.42% | 0.22% | 2.20% |
| SBRASabra Health Care Reit-w/i | 2.60% | 0.00% | 2.60% |
| VTRVentas, Inc. | 1.76% | 0.06% | 1.70% |
| EXRExtra Space Storage Inc. | 1.69% | 0.04% | 1.65% |
| DOCHealthpeak Properties Inc | 1.49% | 0.02% | 1.47% |
| GLPIGaming And Leisure Properties Inc | 1.46% | 0.02% | 1.44% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 1.24% | 0.17% | 1.07% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 1.23% | 0.05% | 1.18% |
| BFSSaul Centers Inc | 1.18% | 0.00% | 1.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGZ 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, PGZ or VTI?
PGZ has an expense ratio of 2.16% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $213 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGZ or VTI?
Over the past year PGZ returned +1.69% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PGZ annualized -1.82% vs +9.27% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGZ or VTI?
PGZ has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PGZ -68.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both PGZ and VTI?
PGZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, PGZ or VTI?
PGZ yields 11.65% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PGZ?
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.