AQWA vs VTI
Global X Clean Water ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AQWA or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.0%.
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 | AQWA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.66% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 90 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -4.13% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.11% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.77% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.62% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,946 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.0% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 8, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 12, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.5 years).
AQWA 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
AQWA vs VTI Performance
Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AQWA returned -6.11% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, AQWA is down 4.13% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, AQWA compounded at +9.77% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.62% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.34% annualized vs +4.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AQWA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 15.4% 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 -29.4% for AQWA and -25.4% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AQWA charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AQWA currently yields 1.66% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
67.7% of AQWA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.3% of VTI's money is in holdings AQWA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in AQWA and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 90 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,143 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AQWA (97.3% of the fund), and 1 for AQWA that do not appear in VTI (1.9%).
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 AQWA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 8.27% | 0.04% | 8.23% |
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 7.89% | 0.06% | 7.83% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 7.36% | 0.04% | 7.32% |
| WTRGEssential Utilities Inc - Common | 6.16% | 0.02% | 6.14% |
| WTSWatts Water Technologies Inc | 4.56% | 0.01% | 4.55% |
| CNMCore & Main Lp 144a | 4.34% | 0.01% | 4.33% |
| ZWSZurn Elkay Water Solutions | 4.25% | 0.01% | 4.24% |
| WMSAdvanced Drainag Tm B 1ln 7/26 | 4.07% | 0.01% | 4.06% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 3.75% | 0.01% | 3.74% |
| PRMBPrimo Brands Corp | 2.79% | 0.01% | 2.78% |
67.7% of AQWA 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, AQWA or VTI?
AQWA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AQWA or VTI?
Over the past year AQWA returned -6.11% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), AQWA annualized +4.60% vs +12.34% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AQWA or VTI?
AQWA has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AQWA -29.4% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both AQWA and VTI?
AQWA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 AQWA and VTI?
67.7% of AQWA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.3% of VTI's is in holdings AQWA also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in AQWA and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AQWA or VTI?
AQWA yields 1.66% while VTI yields 1.06%, so AQWA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AQWA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.