VTI vs VTWG

VTI vs VTWG

Which is better, VTI or VTWG?

Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Growth.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

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

MetricVTIVTWG
Expense Ratio0.03%Best0.06%
AUM$666.9B$1.7B
Dividend Yield1.03%0.61%
Holdings3,5431,138
YTD Return+12.57%+12.68%Best
1Y Return+17.22%Best+17.14%
3Y Return (annualized)+20.87%Best+17.14%
5Y Return (annualized)+11.86%Best+4.85%
Volatility (annualized)14.5%Best20.0%
Max Drawdown-35.0%Best-42.1%
$10,000 over 5 years$17,514Best$12,672
Fund FamilyVanguard (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendSmall Cap Growth
InceptionMay 24, 2001Sep 20, 2010

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (16 years).

VTI vs VTWG 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.

VTI vs VTWG Performance

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% while VTWG returned +17.14%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.57% versus a gain of 12.68% for VTWG.

Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.87% per year against +17.14% for VTWG; over five years the annualized figures are +11.86% and +4.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.95% annualized vs +11.07%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTWG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -35.0% for VTI and -42.1% for VTWG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

VTI charges 0.03% per year while VTWG charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.61% for VTWG.

Holdings Overlap

VTWG already in VTI74.5%

At least 74.5% of VTWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% 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 VTWG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

813 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 1,123 in VTWG, against full books of 3,543 and 1,138.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in VTIWeight in VTWGDifference
MSPRMoog Inc0.02%0.72%0.70%
BTSGBrightspring Health0.02%0.67%0.65%
MXLMaxlinear Inc0.01%0.65%0.64%
FROGJfrog Ltd.0.01%0.58%0.57%
KRYSKrystal Biotech Inc0.01%0.57%0.56%
ESEEsco Technologies Inc0.01%0.55%0.54%
FCFSFirstcash Inc0.01%0.53%0.52%
SNEXStonex Group Inc - Common0.01%0.51%0.50%
PRAXPraxis Precision Medicines Inc Common Stock Usd.00010.01%0.50%0.49%
QBTSD-Wave Quantum, Inc.0.01%0.50%0.49%

74.5% of VTWG 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.

VTIVTWG

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, VTI or VTWG?

VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTWG charges 0.06%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, VTI or VTWG?

Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% vs +17.14% for VTWG, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VTI annualized +12.95% vs +11.07% for VTWG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, VTI or VTWG?

VTWG has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -35.0% vs VTWG -42.1%.

Should I hold both VTI and VTWG?

VTI and VTWG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 VTI and VTWG?

At least 74.5% of VTWG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 813 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 1,123 in VTWG.

Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or VTWG?

VTI yields 1.03% while VTWG yields 0.61%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTWG better than VTI?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.