ABEQ vs VTI
Absolute Select Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ABEQ or VTI?
Large Cap Value 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 | ABEQ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $140M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.16% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 46 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +4.74% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.35% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.29% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.41% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.8%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,974 | $18,286Best |
| Fund Family | Absolute Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 22, 2020 to Oct 2, 2026 (6.7 years).
ABEQ 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 6.7 years both funds cover.
ABEQ vs VTI Performance
Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ) is an ETF from Absolute Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ABEQ returned +5.35% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, ABEQ is up 4.74% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, ABEQ compounded at +13.29% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.41% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.17% annualized vs +7.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 12.9% for ABEQ. 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 -27.8% for ABEQ 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ABEQ charges 0.85% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $3 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ABEQ currently yields 1.16% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings ABEQ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ABEQ, our book for it covers 83.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and ABEQ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ABEQ as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
15 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in ABEQ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 46 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ABEQ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 10.69% | 1.28% | 9.41% |
| LLoews Corp | 7.08% | 0.03% | 7.05% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 6.08% | 0.08% | 6.00% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 5.50% | 0.15% | 5.35% |
| VZVerizon Communications Inc Vz | 5.38% | 0.24% | 5.14% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 4.33% | 0.11% | 4.22% |
| RYNRayonier Inc | 3.68% | 0.01% | 3.67% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 3.18% | 0.03% | 3.15% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals Inc. | 2.99% | 0.09% | 2.90% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.75% | 0.25% | 2.50% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ABEQ and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ABEQ or VTI?
ABEQ has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ABEQ or VTI?
Over the past year ABEQ returned +5.35% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), ABEQ annualized +7.43% vs +14.17% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ABEQ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 12.9% for ABEQ. Worst drawdown: ABEQ -27.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ABEQ and VTI?
ABEQ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 ABEQ and VTI?
At least 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings ABEQ also owns. Our book for ABEQ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in ABEQ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ABEQ or VTI?
ABEQ yields 1.16% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ABEQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ABEQ?
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.