VTI vs XLG
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF
Which is better, VTI or XLG?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, XLG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.3%.
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 | XLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.20% |
| AUM | $690.1B | $11.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.64% |
| Holdings | 3,524 | 108 |
| YTD Return | +13.83%Best | +9.73% |
| 1Y Return | +15.70%Best | +11.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.56% | +23.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.44% | +14.84%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6% | -53.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,972 | $19,974Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3%Best | 60.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | May 4, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2005 to Oct 8, 2026 (21.4 years).
VTI vs XLG 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 21.4 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XLG Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VTI returned +15.70% while XLG returned +11.55%. Year to date, VTI is up 13.83% versus a gain of 9.73% for XLG.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +22.56% per year against +23.89% for XLG; over five years the annualized figures are +12.44% and +14.84% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, XLG has the edge at +9.87% annualized vs +9.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 14.9% for XLG. 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 -56.6% for VTI and -53.8% for XLG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. 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 XLG charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $20 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.64% for XLG.
Holdings Overlap
55.3% of VTI's money is in holdings XLG also owns. 99.9% of XLG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of XLG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, VTI as of Jul 31, 2026 and XLG as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
51 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 52 in XLG, against full books of 3,524 and 108.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for XLG that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.1% of the fund), and 1,099 for VTI that do not appear in XLG (42.1%).
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 XLG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.40% | 12.67% | 6.27% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.29% | 11.68% | 5.39% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.79% | 8.81% | 4.02% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.65% | 6.02% | 2.37% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.90% | 4.75% | 1.85% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.56% | 4.10% | 1.54% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.31% | 3.80% | 1.49% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.70% | 3.41% | 1.71% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.29% | 2.63% | 1.34% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.22% | 2.46% | 1.24% |
99.9% of XLG 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 XLG?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XLG charges 0.20%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XLG?
Over the past year VTI returned +15.70% vs +11.55% for XLG, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), VTI annualized +9.68% vs +9.87% for XLG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XLG?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.9% for XLG. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs XLG -53.8%.
Should I hold both VTI and XLG?
VTI and XLG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 XLG?
99.9% of XLG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 99.9% of XLG's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 51 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 52 in XLG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or XLG?
VTI yields 1.03% while XLG yields 0.64%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLG better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, XLG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.