AGD vs VOO
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, AGD or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. AGD is less concentrated, with 27.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | AGD | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $313M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 12.36% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 89 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +4.34% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.13% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.49% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.6% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,197 | $18,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.1 years).
AGD vs VOO 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 16.1 years both funds cover.
AGD vs VOO Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, AGD is up 4.34% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +21.49% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.73% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.40% annualized vs +2.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -63.6% for AGD and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGD charges 1.35% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $3 annually, a gap of $132 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGD currently yields 12.36% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
52.0% of AGD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 35.2% of VOO's money is in holdings AGD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
42 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 504 in VOO, against full books of 89 and 506.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 457 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for AGD (64.5% of the fund), and 6 for AGD that do not appear in VOO (4.7%).
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 AGD | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.49% | 8.09% | 5.60% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.14% | 7.04% | 3.90% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.04% | 5.70% | 2.66% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.35% | 2.65% | 0.70% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.43% | 2.40% | 1.03% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.58% | 1.44% | 0.14% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.36% | 0.61% | 0.75% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.28% | 0.66% | 0.62% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.24% | 0.69% | 0.55% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.28% | 0.55% | 0.73% |
52.0% of AGD is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGD or VOO?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $132 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or VOO?
Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AGD annualized +2.72% vs +13.40% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or VOO?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: AGD -63.6% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both AGD and VOO?
AGD and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 AGD and VOO?
52.0% of AGD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 35.2% of VOO's is in holdings AGD also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or VOO?
AGD yields 12.36% while VOO yields 1.06%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than AGD?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. AGD is less concentrated, with 27.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.