GDIV vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDIV (Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. GDIV is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GDIV returned 16.87%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GDIV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

GDIV vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF (GDIV) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GDIV having a 11.37% return and VTI slightly lower at 11.20%.

GDIV

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 3.80%
• YTD: 11.37%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 24.33%
• 3Y*: 16.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GDIV vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GDIV Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF	11.37%	10.81%	14.83%	16.45%	-1.53%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between GDIV and VTI is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2022	0.89

The correlation between GDIV and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

GDIV vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDIV	VTI
Technology	23.4%	33.5%
Financial Services	18.2%	12.0%
Industrials	16.2%	9.8%
Healthcare	14.4%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	10.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	4.7%
Energy	5.0%	3.7%
Utilities	4.1%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.4%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.1%	2.4%
Communication Services	-	10.3%

Return for Risk

GDIV vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GDIV

GDIV Risk / Return Rank: 60
GDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
GDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
GDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
GDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GDIV vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF (GDIV) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GDIV	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.33	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	3.18	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	3.17	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.49	14.62	-4.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDIV vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDIV Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDIV and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDIV	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.33	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.51	+0.33

Drawdowns

GDIV vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDIV drawdown since its inception was -18.93%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDIV and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDIV	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.93%	-55.45%	+36.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-8.92%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	-19.30%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.72%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.18%	-8.03%	+4.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	1.93%	+0.39%

Volatility

GDIV vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF (GDIV) has a higher volatility of 3.38% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.96%. This indicates that GDIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDIV	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	2.96%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.30%	9.13%	+0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	12.17%	-0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.32%	17.40%	-2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.32%	18.30%	-2.98%

GDIV vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDIV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDIV vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

GDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDIV Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF	1.13%	1.19%	1.30%	2.27%	5.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDIV and VTI in my portfolio?

GDIV and VTI have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDIV or VTI?

GDIV has higher volatility (3.38%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDIV dropped -18.93% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, GDIV or VTI?

On 3-year performance, VTI leads with 22.07% vs 16.87% for GDIV. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDIV or VTI?

Over the 3-year period, VTI has performed better with a 22.07% return vs 16.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDIV or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for GDIV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GDIV or VTI?

GDIV has the higher dividend yield at 1.13%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between GDIV and VTI?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for GDIV and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.06), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.