CGBL vs VTI
Capital Group Core Balanced ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CGBL or VTI?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. 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 | CGBL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $7.8B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 155 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +4.99% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.78% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.7%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $15,504 | $18,217Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.0% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Capital Group (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 26, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
CGBL 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 3 years both funds cover.
CGBL vs VTI Performance
Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) is an ETF from Capital Group (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CGBL returned +7.78% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, CGBL is up 4.99% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, CGBL compounded at +15.55% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 9.2% for CGBL. 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 -11.7% for CGBL and -19.3% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CGBL charges 0.33% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $3 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CGBL currently yields 1.94% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
50.2% of CGBL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 45.1% of VTI's money is in holdings CGBL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
63 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in CGBL and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 155 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,094 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CGBL (52.4% of the fund), and 4 for CGBL that do not appear in VTI (40.2%).
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 CGBL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.34% | 6.30% | 3.96% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.77% | 6.88% | 6.11% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.53% | 5.11% | 2.58% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.43% | 2.38% | 2.05% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.94% | 2.12% | 0.82% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.88% | 3.41% | 2.53% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.63% | 1.46% | 0.17% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.20% | 1.70% | 0.50% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 2.23% | 0.40% | 1.83% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.65% | 1.33% | 0.68% |
50.2% of CGBL 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, CGBL or VTI?
CGBL has an expense ratio of 0.33% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CGBL or VTI?
Over the past year CGBL returned +7.78% 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, CGBL or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 9.2% for CGBL. Worst drawdown: CGBL -11.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both CGBL and VTI?
CGBL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 CGBL and VTI?
50.2% of CGBL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 45.1% of VTI's is in holdings CGBL also owns. They hold 63 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in CGBL and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CGBL or VTI?
CGBL yields 1.94% while VTI yields 1.06%, so CGBL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CGBL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. 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.