PY vs VTI
Principal Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PY or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PY is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | PY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $245M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 100 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.55% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.75% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.84% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.08% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.2% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,443 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2016 to Sep 17, 2026 (10.5 years).
PY 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 10.5 years both funds cover.
PY vs VTI Performance
Principal Value ETF (PY) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PY returned +12.75% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, PY is up 10.55% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, PY compounded at +14.84% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.08% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.82% annualized vs +9.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.2% compared with 15.5% 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 -45.5% for PY and -35.0% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PY charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PY currently yields 1.85% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of PY's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 31.2% of VTI's money is in holdings PY also owns.
Most of PY is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
100 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PY and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 100 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,051 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for PY (66.3% of the fund), and 1 for PY that do not appear in VTI (0.6%).
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 PY | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.50% | 6.29% | 2.21% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.39% | 3.65% | 0.26% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.10% | 0.55% | 1.55% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.72% | 0.83% | 0.89% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.62% | 0.86% | 0.76% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.93% | 0.52% | 1.41% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.49% | 0.89% | 0.60% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.88% | 0.47% | 1.41% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.69% | 0.45% | 1.24% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.29% | 0.63% | 0.66% |
99.7% of PY 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, PY or VTI?
PY has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PY or VTI?
Over the past year PY returned +12.75% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), PY annualized +9.74% vs +13.82% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PY or VTI?
PY has been the more volatile fund at 19.2% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PY -45.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both PY and VTI?
PY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 PY and VTI?
99.7% of PY's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 31.2% of VTI's is in holdings PY also owns. They hold 100 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in PY and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PY or VTI?
PY yields 1.85% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PY is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.