ASCI vs VTI
abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ASCI or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.6%.
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 | ASCI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $78M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.76% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 55 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +5.85% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.40% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 13.1%Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.6% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 1996 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
ASCI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ASCI vs VTI Performance
abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ASCI returned +7.40% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, ASCI is up 5.85% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ASCI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 13.1% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASCI charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASCI currently yields 0.76% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
2.6% of ASCI's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
ASCI and VTI share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in ASCI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 55 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,155 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ASCI (97.6% of the fund), and 0 for ASCI that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ASCI and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ASCI or VTI?
ASCI has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASCI or VTI?
Over the past year ASCI returned +7.40% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASCI or VTI?
ASCI has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 13.1% for VTI.
Should I hold both ASCI and VTI?
ASCI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 ASCI and VTI?
2.6% of ASCI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings ASCI also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in ASCI and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ASCI or VTI?
ASCI yields 0.76% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ASCI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.