What is the core structural difference between VT and VTI?

VT is a global fund, tracking a world index that includes developed and emerging markets, with a 0.06% expense ratio and $81.2 billion in assets. In contrast, VTI focuses solely on the US stock market, including large, mid, and small-cap companies, with a lower 0.03% expense ratio and $692.2 billion in assets.

How do expense ratios influence long-term investment results?

The annual expense ratio represents the ongoing cost of holding the fund. VTI’s 0.03% fee is 0.03 percentage points lower than VT’s 0.06% fee. While this seems small, the difference compounds over time; on a $10,000 investment, it means paying $6 annually for VT versus $3 for VTI, which can slightly affect total returns.

What does dividend yield mean in this comparison?

Dividend yield represents the annual income from a fund relative to its share price. VT currently offers a 1.50% yield, which is higher than VTI’s 1.02% yield. This higher payout rate for the global fund may appeal to income-focused investors, but yields fluctuate based on the underlying companies and foreign markets.

Can investors hold both VT and VTI together?

Investors can hold both funds to blend their allocations, though there is significant overlap because VTI represents US stocks while VT includes US stocks plus international companies. For example, Apple accounts for 3.84% of VT but 6.30% of VTI, and NVIDIA is 4.32% in VT versus 6.87% in VTI, showing how both funds are heavily exposed to the same major US tech firms.

What types of investing goals are each fund associated with?

VT is often associated with goals requiring broad global diversification across developed and emerging markets, as it covers a worldwide index. VTI is typically associated with goals focused entirely on the US equity market, encompassing large, mid, and small-cap stocks. Investors generally choose based on whether they want international exposure included or prefer a dedicated US-only portfolio.

How do distributions differ between these ETFs?

Distributions refer to payouts made from dividends and capital gains. VT, with a 1.50% dividend yield, pays out income from its global holdings. VTI pays out from its domestic holdings, reflecting a 1.02% yield. Because they are funds, distributions occur automatically from underlying companies and are generally taxed similarly when held in taxable accounts.

How does market-cap coverage differ between VT and VTI?

VT offers broad global equity exposure across developed and emerging markets, covering thousands of companies worldwide. VTI covers the entire US stock market, including large, mid, and small caps. While VT is diversified geographically, VTI is comprehensive across market capitalisations within a single country.

What are the main risks associated with VT's global exposure?

VT’s inclusion of international holdings introduces currency and geopolitical risks. Since the fund tracks a worldwide index, investors are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies and political stability in regions beyond the US. However, the fund also carries concentration risk, as seen in the top holdings, where major US technology shares like Apple and Microsoft dominate the portfolio.

What concentration risk is highlighted by VTI’s holdings?

VTI focuses entirely on the US market and lacks international diversification. Its concentration risk is significant because a heavy weighting toward US mega-caps creates potential vulnerability to domestic market shifts. For instance, NVIDIA represents 6.87% of the portfolio, and top tech stocks dominate the fund, meaning poor performance in the US technology sector can heavily impact VTI.

What does the fund size indicate for VT and VTI?

VT manages $81.2 billion in assets, indicating a large fund dedicated to global markets. VTI is substantially larger, managing $692.2 billion in net assets. These large asset bases contribute to their high liquidity and their ability to maintain their respective low expense ratios.

How do historical data and inception dates compare for both funds?

VT has a shorter operating track record, with an inception date of 24 June 2008. VTI was launched earlier, on 24 May 2001, giving it a longer history of operation across various market cycles. The inception dates reflect when Vanguard started these respective ETFs as options for global and US market exposure.

Is this comparison page financial advice?

No, this page provides educational information only. It compares VT and VTI by examining their fees, top holdings, dividend yields, and how they track their respective markets. It does not offer financial advice, recommend specific securities, or evaluate your personal financial situation. Investors should consult independent professional advisers before making investment decisions.

VT vs VTI

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

This page compares VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF). It examines fees, top holdings, dividend yields, and how each fund tracks its market. VT offers global exposure at a 0.06% expense ratio, while VTI focuses on the US total market at 0.03%. Both share the same top ten holdings but differ in geographic scope. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

Metric

VTI

0.06%

Expense Ratio

0.03%

1.50%

Dividend Yield

1.02%

$81.23B

Net Assets

$692.20B

10,180

Holdings

3,514

Jun 24, 2008

Inception Date

May 24, 2001

–

Index Tracked

–

Global Large-Stock Blend

Fund Category

Large Blend

VTI costs about $3.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	VT	VTI
NVDANVIDIA Corporation	4.32%	6.87%
AAPLApple Inc.	3.84%	6.30%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation	3.16%	5.10%
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc.	2.11%	3.41%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc.	1.68%	2.70%
AVGOBroadcom Inc.	1.44%	2.37%
GOOGAlphabet Inc.	1.31%	2.12%
METAMeta Platforms, Inc.	1.05%	1.70%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.	0.91%	1.46%
TSLATesla, Inc.	0.90%	1.40%

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Compare AVUS vs VTI. We analyse the 0.15% vs 0.03% fees, $14.5B vs $692.2B assets, yields, and shared holdings like Apple and Nvidia in this fund.

Investment Analysis

VT

Pros

It offers broad global equity exposure across developed and emerging markets.
The 0.06 percent expense ratio remains low for a worldwide diversified holding.
A 1.50 percent dividend yield exceeds typical US broad-market payout levels.

Considerations

The 0.06 percent annual fee is higher than the comparable US-focused fund.
Concentration in major US technology shares still dominates the overall portfolio.
International holdings introduce currency and geopolitical risks for investors.

VTI

Pros

It covers the entire US stock market, including large, mid and small caps.
The 0.03 percent expense ratio is lower than the global alternative.
A 1987 inception gives this fund a long operating track record.

Considerations

It provides no international exposure to diversify a global portfolio.
The 1.02 percent dividend yield is lower than the worldwide fund’s payout.
Heavy weighting toward US mega-caps creates significant single-market concentration risk.

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About VT and VTI

VT (VT)

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is a passively managed exchange-traded fund that provides broad exposure to global equity markets by tracking a market-cap-weighted index covering developed and emerging economies and large-, mid- and small-cap companies. For investors, VT offers a simple, single-ticket way to own thousands of stocks worldwide, reducing the need to pick individual shares or multiple regional funds. As an ETF it trades like a share; note that market capitalisation is not normally applied to an ETF itself — assets under management and share price are more relevant. VT’s returns mirror the underlying index, less fees and trading costs, so it will rise and fall with global equity markets. Considerations include currency risk, sector and country concentration, ongoing charges and trading spreads. This information is general and educational, not personalised advice; suitability depends on your objectives, time horizon and tolerance for market volatility.

VTI (VTI)

This ETF offers broad exposure to the US equity market by tracking a comprehensive index of publicly traded companies. Designed as a large blend fund, it holds thousands of individual stocks, ranging from massive multinational corporations to smaller domestic firms. With an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03%, it aims to provide cost-efficient long-term growth potential. The fund has a dividend yield of approximately 1.02%, reflecting the aggregate distributions from its holdings. Investors often consider this vehicle for core portfolio diversification, though it is essential to remember that stock market investments carry inherent risks, and values can fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and returns are not guaranteed.

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VT vs VTI

Fund Snapshot