PLDR vs VTI
Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PLDR or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | PLDR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 56 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $17,877Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 101 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PLDR has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VTI through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PLDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 16.0% 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 -29.6% for PLDR 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLDR charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLDR currently yields 0.35% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 38.9% of VTI's money is in holdings PLDR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PLDR, our book for it covers 92.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 154 days apart, PLDR as of Feb 27, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
44 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 56 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PLDR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.17% | 6.40% | 1.77% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.25% | 6.29% | 1.96% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.63% | 4.79% | 0.16% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.19% | 2.90% | 3.29% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.85% | 3.65% | 1.20% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.58% | 2.56% | 1.02% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.87% | 1.70% | 1.17% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.53% | 1.35% | 1.18% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.76% | 1.22% | 0.54% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.78% | 0.63% | 1.15% |
38.9% of VTI is already inside PLDR.
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, PLDR or VTI?
PLDR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PLDR or VTI?
PLDR has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PLDR -29.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both PLDR and VTI?
PLDR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 PLDR and VTI?
At least 38.9% of VTI's money is in holdings PLDR also owns. Our book for PLDR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PLDR or VTI?
PLDR yields 0.35% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PLDR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PLDR led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.