PWRD vs VTI
TCW Transform Systems ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PWRD or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PWRD led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.2%.
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 | PWRD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 56 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +8.85% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.88% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.30%Best | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.9% | -22.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $22,632Best | $18,066 |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | TCW ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 2, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 3, 2022 to Oct 2, 2026 (4.7 years).
PWRD 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
PWRD vs VTI Performance
TCW Transform Systems ETF (PWRD) is an ETF from TCW ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PWRD returned +8.88% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, PWRD is up 8.85% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, PWRD compounded at +29.30% per year against +23.41% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PWRD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 15.8% 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 -25.9% for PWRD and -22.4% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PWRD charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PWRD currently yields 0.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
79.2% of PWRD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 7.2% of VTI's money is in holdings PWRD also owns.
Most of PWRD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, PWRD as of Sep 15, 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.
22 positions in common, counted across the 28 positions we hold weights for in PWRD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 56 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,130 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for PWRD (90.2% of the fund), and 0 for PWRD that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 PWRD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 8.14% | 0.52% | 7.62% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.86% | 2.56% | 1.30% |
| VGVenture Global, Inc. | 6.30% | 0.00% | 6.30% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc Common Stock | 5.57% | 0.27% | 5.30% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 4.62% | 0.24% | 4.38% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 4.24% | 0.56% | 3.68% |
| VRTVertiv Co. | 4.54% | 0.13% | 4.41% |
| KLACKla Corp | 4.13% | 0.33% | 3.80% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 3.57% | 0.89% | 2.68% |
| POWLPowell Industries Inc | 3.92% | 0.01% | 3.91% |
79.2% of PWRD 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, PWRD or VTI?
PWRD has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PWRD or VTI?
Over the past year PWRD returned +8.88% vs +15.92% 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, PWRD or VTI?
PWRD has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PWRD -25.9% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both PWRD and VTI?
PWRD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 PWRD and VTI?
79.2% of PWRD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 7.2% of VTI's is in holdings PWRD also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 28 positions we hold weights for in PWRD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PWRD or VTI?
PWRD yields 0.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PWRD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. PWRD led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.