LCTU vs MSLC
iShares US Carbon Transition Readiness Aware Active ETF vs Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF
Which is better, LCTU or MSLC?
Nearly the same fund. LCTU costs less.
LCTU has a lower expense ratio. LCTU led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. LCTU is less concentrated, with 35.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.6%.
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 | LCTU | MSLC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.39% |
| AUM | $1.2B | $4.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.97% | 1.95% |
| Holdings | 334 | 793 |
| YTD Return | +11.76%Best | +10.97% |
| 1Y Return | +15.34%Best | +14.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.70% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3% | 11.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8% | -17.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,620Best | $12,375 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.5%Best | 35.6% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Morgan Stanley |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 6, 2021 | Dec 9, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 9, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
LCTU vs MSLC 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
LCTU vs MSLC Performance
iShares US Carbon Transition Readiness Aware Active ETF (LCTU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF (MSLC) is an ETF from Morgan Stanley. Over the past year LCTU returned +15.34% while MSLC returned +14.08%. Year to date, LCTU is up 11.76% versus a gain of 10.97% for MSLC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LCTU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 11.9% for MSLC. 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 -19.8% for LCTU and -17.9% for MSLC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LCTU charges 0.15% per year while MSLC charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $39 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LCTU currently yields 0.97% against 1.95% for MSLC.
Holdings Overlap
97.7% of LCTU's money is in holdings MSLC also owns. 79.0% of MSLC's money is in holdings LCTU also owns.
Most of LCTU is already inside MSLC. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
287 positions in common, counted across the 331 positions we hold weights for in LCTU and 789 in MSLC, against full books of 334 and 793.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 415 positions for MSLC that do not appear in our book for LCTU (18.2% of the fund), and 31 for LCTU that do not appear in MSLC (1.8%).
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 LCTU | Weight in MSLC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.16% | 7.04% | 1.12% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.17% | 5.80% | 1.37% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.94% | 5.55% | 0.61% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.08% | 4.07% | 0.99% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.49% | 3.23% | 0.74% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.43% | 2.31% | 0.12% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.04% | 2.49% | 0.45% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.91% | 1.95% | 0.04% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.66% | 1.60% | 0.06% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.09% | 1.61% | 0.52% |
97.7% of LCTU is already inside MSLC.
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, LCTU or MSLC?
LCTU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while MSLC charges 0.39%. LCTU is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LCTU or MSLC?
Over the past year LCTU returned +15.34% vs +14.08% for MSLC, so LCTU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LCTU annualized +13.80% vs +12.57% for MSLC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LCTU or MSLC?
LCTU has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 11.9% for MSLC. Worst drawdown: LCTU -19.8% vs MSLC -17.9%.
Should I hold both LCTU and MSLC?
LCTU and MSLC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 LCTU and MSLC?
97.7% of LCTU's money is in holdings MSLC also owns. 79.0% of MSLC's is in holdings LCTU also owns. They hold 287 positions in common, counted across the 331 positions we hold weights for in LCTU and 789 in MSLC.
Which pays a higher dividend, LCTU or MSLC?
LCTU yields 0.97% while MSLC yields 1.95%, so MSLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MSLC better than LCTU?
LCTU has a lower expense ratio. LCTU led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. LCTU is less concentrated, with 35.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.