ABLS vs VTI
Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ABLS or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | ABLS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $460,516.49 | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.96% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 49 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.33% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.86% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.77% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Tie | -19.3%Tie |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $10,161 | $12,724Best |
| Fund Family | Abacus FCF Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 18, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 19, 2025 to Sep 3, 2026 (1.5 years).
ABLS 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
ABLS vs VTI Performance
Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF (ABLS) is an ETF from Abacus FCF Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ABLS returned +6.86% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, ABLS is up 12.33% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ABLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 13.0% for VTI. 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 -19.3% for ABLS and -19.3% 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 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ABLS charges 0.39% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $3 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ABLS currently yields 0.96% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 69.2% of ABLS's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ABLS as of Aug 17, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
38 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in ABLS and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 49 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ABLS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSCROscar Health, Inc. | 5.73% | 0.00% | 5.73% |
| APAMArtisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. | 4.51% | 0.00% | 4.51% |
| QLYSQualys Inc | 4.18% | 0.00% | 4.18% |
| HRMYHarmony Biosciences, Llc | 3.77% | 0.00% | 3.77% |
| HCSGHealthcare Services Group Inc | 3.36% | 0.00% | 3.36% |
| KTBKontoor Brands Inc | 3.22% | 0.00% | 3.22% |
| MDMednax | 2.73% | 0.00% | 2.73% |
| PJTPjt Partners Inc | 2.68% | 0.00% | 2.68% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 2.65% | 0.00% | 2.65% |
| PGNYProgyny Inc | 2.63% | 0.00% | 2.63% |
69.2% of ABLS is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ABLS or VTI?
ABLS has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ABLS or VTI?
Over the past year ABLS returned +6.86% vs +21.44% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), ABLS annualized +1.07% vs +17.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ABLS or VTI?
ABLS has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 13.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ABLS -19.3% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both ABLS and VTI?
ABLS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 ABLS and VTI?
At least 69.2% of ABLS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in ABLS and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ABLS or VTI?
ABLS yields 0.96% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ABLS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.