USA vs VTI
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USA or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. USA is less concentrated, with 25.0% 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 | USA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.92% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.81% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 139 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.95% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.57% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.15% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.80% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.4% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,933 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Liberty All Star Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 31, 1986 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 14, 2026 (25.3 years).
USA 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
USA vs VTI Performance
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (USA) is an ETF from Liberty All Star Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USA returned +1.57% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, USA is up 1.95% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, USA compounded at +10.15% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.80% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.03% annualized vs -0.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% 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 -82.4% for USA 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USA charges 0.92% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $92 vs $3 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USA currently yields 9.81% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
88.8% of USA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 45.8% of VTI's money is in holdings USA also owns.
Most of USA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
127 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in USA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 139 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,025 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for USA (51.7% of the fund), and 4 for USA that do not appear in VTI (3.8%).
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 USA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.70% | 6.40% | 0.70% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.57% | 4.79% | 2.22% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.84% | 2.31% | 1.53% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.66% | 3.65% | 1.99% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.10% | 2.90% | 1.80% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.29% | 2.56% | 1.27% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.98% | 1.70% | 0.28% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.66% | 1.22% | 0.44% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.68% | 0.83% | 0.85% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 2.32% | 0.18% | 2.14% |
88.8% of USA 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, USA or VTI?
USA has an expense ratio of 0.92% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USA or VTI?
Over the past year USA returned +1.57% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), USA annualized -0.95% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USA or VTI?
USA has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: USA -82.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both USA and VTI?
USA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 USA and VTI?
88.8% of USA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 45.8% of VTI's is in holdings USA also owns. They hold 127 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in USA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, USA or VTI?
USA yields 9.81% while VTI yields 1.03%, so USA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. USA is less concentrated, with 25.0% 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.