PTLC vs VTI
Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PTLC or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PTLC led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | PTLC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 506 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.93% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.42% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.46% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.60% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 65156.5% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,814 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 11, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 22, 2005 to Sep 11, 2026 (20.7 years).
PTLC 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.
PTLC vs VTI Performance
Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PTLC returned +10.42% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, PTLC is up 6.93% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, PTLC compounded at +13.46% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.60% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, PTLC has the edge at +36.74% annualized vs +9.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PTLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 65156.5% compared with 15.6% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PTLC charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PTLC currently yields 0.99% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 98.6% of PTLC's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of PTLC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
458 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in PTLC and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 506 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PTLC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.71% | 6.32% | 1.39% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.83% | 5.84% | 0.99% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.50% | 3.81% | 1.69% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.08% | 3.17% | 0.91% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 3.33% | 2.88% | 0.45% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.97% | 2.46% | 0.51% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.67% | 2.27% | 0.40% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.51% | 1.79% | 0.28% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.38% | 1.63% | 0.25% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.33% | 1.40% | 0.07% |
98.6% of PTLC 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, PTLC or VTI?
PTLC has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PTLC or VTI?
Over the past year PTLC returned +10.42% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), PTLC annualized +36.74% vs +9.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PTLC or VTI?
PTLC has been the more volatile fund at 65156.5% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI.
Should I hold both PTLC and VTI?
PTLC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PTLC and VTI?
At least 98.6% of PTLC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 458 positions in common, counted across the 500 positions we hold weights for in PTLC and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PTLC or VTI?
PTLC yields 0.99% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PTLC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PTLC led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.