Stop scrolling for a sec. Before you buy another share of VTI, listen up. Everyone loves VTI because it’s simple, diversified, and covers the whole market. But here’s the truth: owning everything also means owning a lot of underperformers that drag down your returns.
While you’re getting average results across 3,000 companies, these three ETFs are absolutely crushing VTI right now. One’s up 18.96% this year, another is paying nearly 4% just to hold it, and the third manages three-quarters of a trillion dollars for a reason.
The investing world has a secret: total market funds aren’t always the best choice. Today, we’re breaking down VO, SCHD, and VUG—three ETFs that might just make VTI obsolete in your portfolio. And trust me, the numbers are jaw-dropping.
VTI vs. the Competition: Why It’s Time to Rethink
Think of VTI like a Honda Civic. Reliable? ✅ Efficient? ✅ Gets you there? ✅ But what if you could get to your destination faster, safer, and with better returns?
I dove into fund data as of October 10, 2025, comparing performance, holdings, and what the smart money is actually buying. Three ETFs stood out:
VO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) – Focused on the biggest winners.
SCHD (Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF) – Serious income generator.
VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) – Pure aggressive growth.
1️⃣ VO – The Focused Champion
VO is managing $775 billion, and it’s not by accident. Why own 3,000 companies when 500 giants drive most of the market returns?
Performance (as of Oct 2025):
YTD: 15.64%
1-year: 18.36%
5-year annualized: 12.53%
10-year annualized: 14.55%
Expense Ratio: Just 0.03% – literally $3 per $10,000 invested.
Top Holdings: Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Broadcom, Alphabet (both classes), Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway.
VO gives you stable growth, dividends (1.16% yield), and automatic rebalancing. Perfect for investors who want VTI simplicity but sharper focus.
2️⃣ SCHD – The Income Warrior
If you want cash flow today, SCHD is your pick. Yes, it’s up only 2.84% YTD, but here’s the kicker: it pays 3.8% dividend yield—10x what VUG offers.
Expense Ratio: 0.06% – still incredibly cheap.
Top Holdings: Texas Instruments, Chevron, Cisco Systems, Amgen, PepsiCo, Verizon, Altria.
SCHD is stable, defensive, and reliable, perfect for income-focused investors, retirees, or anyone looking for a portfolio buffer in volatile markets.
3️⃣ VUG – The Growth Monster
Want sky-high growth? VUG is the rocket ship. 18.96% YTD, 27.68% 1-year return, and 10-year annualized 18%.
Expense Ratio: 0.04%
Dividend Yield: 0.39% – you’re here for growth, not income.
Top Holdings: Nvidia (12%), Microsoft (11%), Apple (10%), Amazon (6.5%), Meta, Broadcom, Alphabet.
Half the fund is tech stocks, making it high-risk, high-reward. If you can handle volatility and have a long-term horizon, VUG could supercharge your portfolio.
How to Choose
| ETF | Focus | YTD Return | Dividend Yield | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VO | Balanced growth | 15.64% | 1.16% | Moderate |
| SCHD | Income & stability | 2.84% | 3.8% | Low |
| VUG | Aggressive growth | 18.96% | 0.39% | High |
Pro Tip: You don’t have to pick just one. Combine all three for intentional diversification:
VO: Stable large-cap foundation
SCHD: Defensive income stream
VUG: Explosive growth potential
Bottom Line
VTI isn’t bad—it’s just generic. These three ETFs give you real investing superpowers:
VO: Focused efficiency
SCHD: Steady income
VUG: Growth acceleration
Based on October 2025 data, VO offers the best balance of growth, stability, and low cost for most investors. But your choice depends on your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance.
So, which one will you choose? Team VO, Team SCHD, or Team VUG?
💡 Ready to take action? Start investing in these ETFs today via Moomoo – a broker that makes buying ETFs simple, fast, and secure. 👉 Click here to invest now
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