AGD vs VTI
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AGD or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 33.5%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $313M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.36% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 89 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +4.34% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.13% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.49% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.7% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,197 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.2 years).
AGD vs VTI 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 20.2 years both funds cover.
AGD vs VTI Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, AGD is up 4.34% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +21.49% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.73% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.70% annualized vs -3.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.7% compared with 15.7% 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 -88.3% for AGD and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGD charges 1.35% per year while VTI 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 VTI.
Holdings Overlap
53.0% of AGD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 30.8% of VTI's money is in holdings AGD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
45 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 89 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,113 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AGD (66.8% of the fund), and 4 for AGD that do not appear in VTI (3.7%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.14% | 6.30% | 3.16% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.49% | 6.88% | 4.39% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.04% | 5.11% | 2.07% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.35% | 2.38% | 0.97% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.43% | 2.12% | 1.31% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.58% | 1.29% | 0.29% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.36% | 0.54% | 0.82% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.24% | 0.61% | 0.63% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.28% | 0.53% | 0.75% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.28% | 0.49% | 0.79% |
53.0% of AGD 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, AGD or VTI?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $132 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or VTI?
Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), AGD annualized -3.62% vs +9.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or VTI?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 23.7% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AGD -88.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both AGD and VTI?
AGD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 VTI?
53.0% of AGD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 30.8% of VTI's is in holdings AGD also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or VTI?
AGD yields 12.36% while VTI yields 1.06%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AGD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.