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 and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.4%.
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 | $689.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.05% |
| Holdings | 3,542 | 276 |
| YTD Return | +12.23%Best | -3.69% |
| 1Y Return | +12.74%Best | -1.53% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.83% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2%Best | 21.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -21.1% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,762Best | $9,838 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6%Best | 47.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1.2 years).
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 covers the 1.2 years both funds cover.
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 +12.74% while WDGF returned -1.53%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.23% versus a loss of 3.69% 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 21.5% compared with 12.2% 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 -8.9% for VTI and -21.1% for WDGF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.25. 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 1.06% against 0.05% for WDGF.
Holdings Overlap
2.1% of VTI's money is in holdings WDGF also owns. 56.4% of WDGF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
54 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 120 in WDGF, against full books of 3,542 and 276.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 4 positions for WDGF that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.4% of the fund), and 1,096 for VTI that do not appear in WDGF (94.8%).
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 VTI | Weight in WDGF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc. | 0.56% | 6.23% | 5.67% |
| LMTLockheed Martin | 0.16% | 5.10% | 4.94% |
| RTXRtx Corp | 0.34% | 4.84% | 4.50% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 0.09% | 4.97% | 4.88% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 0.12% | 4.89% | 4.77% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 0.06% | 3.49% | 3.43% |
| HONAHoneywell Aerospace Inc | 0.07% | 2.74% | 2.67% |
| TDGTransdigm Group Inc. | 0.08% | 2.61% | 2.53% |
| BABoeing Co | 0.20% | 2.39% | 2.19% |
| HEIHeico Corp. | 0.01% | 1.93% | 1.92% |
56.4% 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 +12.74% vs -1.53% for WDGF, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VTI annualized +14.48% vs -1.35% for WDGF. 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 21.5% annualized versus 12.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -8.9% vs WDGF -21.1%.
Should I hold both VTI and WDGF?
VTI and WDGF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.25, 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?
56.4% of WDGF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 56.4% of WDGF's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 120 in WDGF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or WDGF?
VTI yields 1.06% 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 and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.