TDF vs VTI
Templeton Dragon Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TDF or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | TDF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.33% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5,054.4 | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.61% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 68 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -9.29% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.02% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.29% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -8.02% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.9% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -75.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,584 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 8, 1994 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 10, 2026 (25.3 years).
TDF 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
TDF vs VTI Performance
Templeton Dragon Fund (TDF) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TDF returned -5.02% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, TDF is down 9.29% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, TDF compounded at +8.29% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -8.02% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.01% annualized vs +1.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TDF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.9% compared with 15.3% 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 -75.1% for TDF and -56.6% 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TDF charges 1.33% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $133 vs $3 annually, a gap of $130 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TDF currently yields 3.61% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of TDF'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.
TDF and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, TDF as of Jan 30, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in TDF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 68 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TDF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZZillow Group Inc - C Common Stock | 1.25% | 0.00% | 1.25% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TDF and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, TDF or VTI?
TDF has an expense ratio of 1.33% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $130 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TDF or VTI?
Over the past year TDF returned -5.02% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), TDF annualized +1.90% vs +8.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TDF or VTI?
TDF has been the more volatile fund at 24.9% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TDF -75.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both TDF and VTI?
TDF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 TDF and VTI?
At least 1.3% of TDF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 62 positions we hold weights for in TDF and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TDF or VTI?
TDF yields 3.61% while VTI yields 1.03%, so TDF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TDF?
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.