SDG vs VTI
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SDG or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | SDG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $178M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.68% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 147 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.34% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.20% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.97% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.28% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.4%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,141 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.4 years).
SDG 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 10.4 years both funds cover.
SDG vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDG returned +16.20% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, SDG is up 9.34% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, SDG compounded at +7.97% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.28% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.85% annualized vs +7.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 14.4% for SDG. 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 -30.4% for SDG 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDG charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDG currently yields 1.68% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 32.1% of SDG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% 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.
19 positions in common, counted across the 118 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 147 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SDG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 3.74% | 6.32% | 2.58% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 4.83% | 0.37% | 4.46% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 4.28% | 0.03% | 4.25% |
| KMBKimberly-Clark Corp. | 3.27% | 0.05% | 3.22% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2.25% | 0.09% | 2.16% |
| VRTXNvaesrtex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 1.98% | 0.17% | 1.81% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 1.83% | 0.14% | 1.69% |
| WYWeyerhaeuser Co. | 1.75% | 0.02% | 1.73% |
| MASMasco Corp. | 1.61% | 0.02% | 1.59% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 1.40% | 0.09% | 1.31% |
32.1% of SDG 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, SDG or VTI?
SDG has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDG or VTI?
Over the past year SDG returned +16.20% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), SDG annualized +7.47% vs +13.85% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 14.4% for SDG. Worst drawdown: SDG -30.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SDG and VTI?
SDG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 SDG and VTI?
At least 32.1% of SDG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 118 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SDG or VTI?
SDG yields 1.68% while VTI yields 1.07%, so SDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SDG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.