VO vs VOO
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, VO or VOO?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VO is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | VO | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $106.6B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 289 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.95% | +11.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.35% | +16.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.10% | +21.19%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.42% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,303 | $18,384Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 14, 2026 (16 years).
VO vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
VO vs VOO Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VO returned +12.35% while VOO returned +16.45%. Year to date, VO is up 10.95% versus a gain of 11.98% for VOO.
Over three years, VO compounded at +16.10% per year against +21.19% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +7.42% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.37% annualized vs +11.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -39.7% for VO and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VO charges 0.03% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VO currently yields 1.30% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
89.3% of VO's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 16.2% of VOO's money is in holdings VO also owns.
Most of VO is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
242 positions in common, counted across the 283 positions we hold weights for in VO and 494 in VOO, against full books of 289 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 250 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for VO (83.3% of the fund), and 38 for VO that do not appear in VOO (9.7%).
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 VO | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 1.09% | 0.18% | 0.91% |
| STXSeagate Technology Holdings Plc | 0.92% | 0.30% | 0.62% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 0.90% | 0.29% | 0.61% |
| PWRQuanta Services Inc | 0.96% | 0.16% | 0.80% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.89% | 0.14% | 0.75% |
| VRTVertiv Holdings Co | 0.89% | 0.14% | 0.75% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.89% | 0.14% | 0.75% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 0.85% | 0.14% | 0.71% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 0.84% | 0.14% | 0.70% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 0.82% | 0.13% | 0.69% |
89.3% of VO is already inside VOO.
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, VO or VOO?
VO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VOO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VO or VOO?
Over the past year VO returned +12.35% vs +16.45% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VO annualized +11.26% vs +13.37% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VO or VOO?
VO has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: VO -39.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both VO and VOO?
VO and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VO and VOO?
89.3% of VO's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 16.2% of VOO's is in holdings VO also owns. They hold 242 positions in common, counted across the 283 positions we hold weights for in VO and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, VO or VOO?
VO yields 1.30% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than VO?
VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VO is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.