THW vs VTI
Abrdn World Healthcare Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, THW 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 | THW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $532M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.93% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 123 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +8.14% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.77% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.62% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.39% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,002 | $17,869Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2015 to Oct 1, 2026 (11.3 years).
THW 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 11.3 years both funds cover.
THW vs VTI Performance
Abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year THW returned +9.77% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, THW is up 8.14% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, THW compounded at +15.62% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.39% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.38% annualized vs +1.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
THW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% 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 -55.6% for THW 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
THW charges 3.00% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $300 vs $3 annually, a gap of $297 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, THW currently yields 9.93% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.5% of VTI's money is in holdings THW also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for THW, our book for it lists positions totalling 118.6% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VTI and THW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, THW as of Dec 31, 2025 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.
43 positions in common, counted across the 96 positions we hold weights for in THW and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 123 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in THW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.85% | 0.61% | 3.24% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 3.56% | 0.45% | 3.11% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 3.63% | 0.26% | 3.37% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 3.10% | 0.17% | 2.93% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc. | 2.85% | 0.17% | 2.68% |
| MDTMEDTRONIC | 2.73% | 0.15% | 2.58% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.48% | 1.35% | 0.13% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 2.03% | 0.30% | 1.73% |
| BSXBoston Scientific Corp. | 1.77% | 0.10% | 1.67% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 1.79% | 0.06% | 1.73% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of THW 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, THW or VTI?
THW has an expense ratio of 3.00% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $297 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, THW or VTI?
Over the past year THW returned +9.77% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), THW annualized +1.16% vs +12.38% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, THW or VTI?
THW has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: THW -55.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both THW and VTI?
THW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 THW and VTI?
At least 6.5% of VTI's money is in holdings THW also owns. Our book for THW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 43 positions in common, counted across the 96 positions we hold weights for in THW and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, THW or VTI?
THW yields 9.93% while VTI yields 1.03%, so THW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than THW?
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.