PWS vs VTI
Pacer WealthShield ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PWS or VTI?
Tactical Allocation against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | PWS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.11% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 717 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -2.04% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.13% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.16% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.52% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 16.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.9%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,263 | $17,616Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Tactical Allocation | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.8 years).
PWS 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 8.8 years both funds cover.
PWS vs VTI Performance
Pacer WealthShield ETF (PWS) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PWS returned -1.13% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, PWS is down 2.04% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, PWS compounded at +7.16% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.52% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.14% annualized vs +3.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 12.5% for PWS. 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 -24.9% for PWS and -35.0% 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PWS charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PWS currently yields 2.11% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 51.4% of VTI's money is in holdings PWS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PWS, our book for it covers 79.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
295 positions in common, counted across the 309 positions we hold weights for in PWS and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 717 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PWS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.40% | 6.88% | 2.48% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.70% | 6.30% | 2.60% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.99% | 5.11% | 2.12% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.05% | 3.41% | 1.36% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.97% | 1.33% | 1.64% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.30% | 1.70% | 0.60% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 1.19% | 2.70% | 1.51% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.36% | 2.38% | 1.02% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.96% | 0.87% | 1.09% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.25% | 0.53% | 1.72% |
51.4% of VTI is already inside PWS.
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, PWS or VTI?
PWS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PWS or VTI?
Over the past year PWS returned -1.13% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), PWS annualized +3.99% vs +13.14% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PWS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 12.5% for PWS. Worst drawdown: PWS -24.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both PWS and VTI?
PWS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 PWS and VTI?
At least 51.4% of VTI's money is in holdings PWS also owns. Our book for PWS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 295 positions in common, counted across the 309 positions we hold weights for in PWS and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PWS or VTI?
PWS yields 2.11% while VTI yields 1.06%, so PWS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PWS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.