QLC vs VTI
Northern Trust US Quality Large Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QLC or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QLC led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%.
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 | QLC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.96% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 163 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.88% | +11.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.16% | +12.49%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.16%Best | +23.15% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.34%Best | +10.85% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,703Best | $16,737 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.3% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Oct 30, 2026 (11.1 years).
QLC 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
QLC vs VTI Performance
Northern Trust US Quality Large Cap ETF (QLC) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLC returned +12.16% while VTI returned +12.49%. Year to date, QLC is up 9.88% versus a gain of 11.43% for VTI.
Over three years, QLC compounded at +25.16% per year against +23.15% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.34% and +10.85% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QLC has the edge at +13.76% annualized vs +13.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% 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 -35.9% for QLC 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLC charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLC currently yields 0.96% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.0% of QLC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 57.0% of VTI's money is in holdings QLC also owns.
Most of QLC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
154 positions in common, counted across the 156 positions we hold weights for in QLC and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 163 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 156 and 3,441 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,002 positions QLC does not, 40.7% of the fund.
Largest: XOM 0.90%, V 0.85%, MA 0.63%, WMT 0.62%, COST 0.57%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.12% | 6.88% | 1.24% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.87% | 6.30% | 0.43% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.05% | 5.11% | 1.06% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.86% | 2.70% | 1.16% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.41% | 3.41% | 1.00% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.41% | 2.12% | 1.29% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.58% | 2.38% | 0.20% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.31% | 1.46% | 0.85% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.82% | 1.70% | 0.12% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.86% | 1.29% | 0.57% |
99.0% of QLC 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QLC or VTI?
QLC has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLC or VTI?
Over the past year QLC returned +12.16% vs +12.49% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), QLC annualized +13.76% vs +13.32% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLC or VTI?
QLC has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: QLC -35.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both QLC and VTI?
QLC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 QLC and VTI?
99.0% of QLC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 57.0% of VTI's is in holdings QLC also owns. They hold 154 positions in common, counted across the 156 positions we hold weights for in QLC and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLC or VTI?
QLC yields 0.96% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QLC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QLC led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.