MGK vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MGK (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MGK is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MGK returned 19.24%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MGK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

MGK vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MGK achieves a 10.01% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, MGK has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 19.24%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.05% annualized return.

MGK

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 7.26%
• YTD: 10.01%
• 6M: 9.45%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 26.77%
• 5Y*: 16.25%
• 10Y*: 19.24%

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)

MGK vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	10.01%	20.67%	32.94%	51.67%	-33.59%	28.58%	41.01%	37.38%	-2.91%	29.49%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between MGK and VTI is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2007	0.93

The correlation between MGK and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

MGK vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MGK	VTI
Technology	56.1%	33.5%
Communication Services	17.3%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	10.0%
Healthcare	4.5%	9.2%
Financial Services	4.5%	12.0%
Real Estate	1.3%	2.4%
Utilities	1.2%	2.3%
Industrials	1.1%	9.8%
Basic Materials	0.7%	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.4%	4.7%
Energy	-	3.7%

Return for Risk

MGK vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGK

MGK Risk / Return Rank: 45
MGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
MGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
MGK Omega Ratio Rank: 50
MGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MGK Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

MGK vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) 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.

	MGK	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.33	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	3.18	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	3.17	-1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.15	14.62	-8.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MGK vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGK Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGK 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

	MGK	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	2.33	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.73	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.82	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.51	+0.15

Drawdowns

MGK vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGK drawdown since its inception was -47.97%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGK and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGK	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.97%	-55.45%	+7.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.85%	-8.92%	-7.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.36%	-19.30%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.01%	-25.36%	-10.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.01%	-35.00%	-1.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.43%	-0.72%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.47%	-8.03%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.89%	1.93%	+2.96%

Volatility

MGK vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) has a higher volatility of 4.01% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.96%. This indicates that MGK'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

	MGK	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	2.96%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	9.13%	+3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.23%	12.17%	+4.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.63%	17.40%	+5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.88%	18.30%	+3.58%

MGK vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MGK vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

MGK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	0.32%	0.35%	0.43%	0.50%	0.70%	0.41%	0.65%	0.85%	1.12%	1.23%	1.53%	1.43%
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 MGK and VTI in my portfolio?

MGK and VTI have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MGK or VTI?

MGK has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGK dropped -47.97% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, MGK or VTI?

On 10-year performance, MGK leads with 19.24% vs 15.05% for VTI. 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, MGK or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, MGK has performed better with a 19.24% return vs 15.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MGK or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for MGK.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.32% for MGK.

What is the main difference between MGK and VTI?

MGK is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. MGK tracks CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for MGK and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.86), 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.