VT vs VUG
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, VT or VUG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VUG has a lower expense ratio. VT led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | VT | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $97.9B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.55% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 10,133 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +12.24%Best | +9.77% |
| 1Y Return | +17.11%Best | +12.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.23% | +24.08%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.20% | +13.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -50.6% | -45.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,003 | $18,424Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2008 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (18.2 years).
VT vs VUG 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
VT vs VUG Performance
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VT returned +17.11% while VUG returned +12.34%. Year to date, VT is up 12.24% versus a gain of 9.77% for VUG.
Over three years, VT compounded at +20.23% per year against +24.08% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +11.20% and +13.00% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +12.97% annualized vs +7.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -50.6% for VT and -45.7% for VUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VT charges 0.06% per year while VUG 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, VT currently yields 1.55% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 92.8% of VUG's money is in holdings VT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VT, our book for it covers 90.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VUG is already inside VT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
137 positions in common, counted across the 9,272 positions we hold weights for in VT and 147 in VUG, against full books of 10,133 and 146.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VT | Weight in VUG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.03% | 12.81% | 8.78% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.84% | 12.59% | 8.75% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.97% | 9.59% | 6.62% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.27% | 5.15% | 2.88% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.82% | 4.62% | 2.80% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.56% | 4.46% | 2.90% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.05% | 3.41% | 2.36% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.79% | 2.72% | 1.93% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.78% | 2.44% | 1.66% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.67% | 2.17% | 1.50% |
92.8% of VUG is already inside VT.
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, VT or VUG?
VT has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VUG charges 0.03%. VUG is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VT or VUG?
Over the past year VT returned +17.11% vs +12.34% for VUG, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VT annualized +7.22% vs +12.97% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VT or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VT -50.6% vs VUG -45.7%.
Should I hold both VT and VUG?
VT and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 VT and VUG?
At least 92.8% of VUG's money is in holdings VT also owns. Our book for VT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 137 positions in common, counted across the 9,272 positions we hold weights for in VT and 147 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VT or VUG?
VT yields 1.55% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than VT?
VUG has a lower expense ratio. VT led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.