VGK vs VTV
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF
Which is better, VGK or VTV?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VTV has a lower expense ratio. VTV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.5%.
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 | VGK | VTV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $38.5B | $187.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 1.82% |
| Holdings | 1,240 | 311 |
| YTD Return | +7.70% | +16.17%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.70% | +21.79%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.93% | +19.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.18% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -61.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,514 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.4%Best | 22.5% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 4, 2005 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 2005 to Sep 22, 2026 (21.5 years).
VGK vs VTV 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 21.5 years both funds cover.
VGK vs VTV Performance
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Value ETF (VTV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGK returned +15.70% while VTV returned +21.79%. Year to date, VGK is up 7.70% versus a gain of 16.17% for VTV.
Over three years, VGK compounded at +18.93% per year against +19.03% for VTV; over five years the annualized figures are +9.18% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTV has the edge at +7.28% annualized vs +3.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.8% for VTV. 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 -67.3% for VGK and -61.3% for VTV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGK charges 0.06% per year while VTV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGK currently yields 2.81% against 1.82% for VTV.
Holdings Overlap
1.0% of VGK's money is in holdings VTV also owns. 0.4% of VTV's money is in holdings VGK also owns.
VGK and VTV share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 299 in VTV, against full books of 1,240 and 311.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 288 positions for VTV that do not appear in our book for VGK (96.6% of the fund), and 10 for VGK that do not appear in VTV (2.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGK and VTV 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, VGK or VTV?
VGK has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VTV charges 0.03%. VTV is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGK or VTV?
Over the past year VGK returned +15.70% vs +21.79% for VTV, so VTV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), VGK annualized +3.52% vs +7.28% for VTV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGK or VTV?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VTV. Worst drawdown: VGK -67.3% vs VTV -61.3%.
Should I hold both VGK and VTV?
VGK and VTV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 VGK and VTV?
1.0% of VGK's money is in holdings VTV also owns. 0.4% of VTV's is in holdings VGK also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 1,101 positions we hold weights for in VGK and 299 in VTV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VGK or VTV?
VGK yields 2.81% while VTV yields 1.82%, so VGK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTV better than VGK?
VTV has a lower expense ratio. VTV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGK is less concentrated, with 18.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.