VTI vs WDGF
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VTI or WDGF?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y.
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 | VTI | WDGF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.05% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 129 |
| YTD Return | +12.57%Best | -2.39% |
| 1Y Return | +17.22%Best | -0.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.87% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 22.0% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VTI vs WDGF 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.
VTI vs WDGF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Global Defense Fund ETF (WDGF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% while WDGF returned -0.24%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.57% versus a loss of 2.39% for WDGF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 13.0% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while WDGF charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $45 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.05% for WDGF.
Holdings Overlap
At least 55.3% of WDGF'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
47 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 114 in WDGF, against full books of 3,543 and 129.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTI | Weight in WDGF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 0.35% | 6.28% | 5.93% |
| RTXRaytheon Technologies Corp | 0.35% | 5.73% | 5.38% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 0.16% | 5.16% | 5.00% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 0.12% | 5.17% | 5.05% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 0.10% | 4.91% | 4.81% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 0.07% | 3.06% | 2.99% |
| BABoeing Co | 0.23% | 2.44% | 2.21% |
| TDGTransdigm Group Inc. | 0.10% | 2.27% | 2.17% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.04% | 2.08% | 2.04% |
| HEIHeico Corp. | 0.03% | 1.85% | 1.82% |
55.3% of WDGF 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, VTI or WDGF?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while WDGF charges 0.45%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or WDGF?
Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% vs -0.24% for WDGF, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or WDGF?
WDGF has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 13.0% for VTI.
Should I hold both VTI and WDGF?
VTI and WDGF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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 VTI and WDGF?
At least 55.3% of WDGF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 114 in WDGF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or WDGF?
VTI yields 1.03% while WDGF yields 0.05%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDGF better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.