ACES vs VTI
ALPS Clean Energy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ACES or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.1%.
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 | ACES | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $109M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 38 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -16.67% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.25% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -8.37% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -15.59% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 35.2% | 17.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,285 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.1% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 27, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2018 to Sep 25, 2026 (8.2 years).
ACES 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
ACES vs VTI Performance
ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACES returned -11.25% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, ACES is down 16.67% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, ACES compounded at -8.37% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -15.59% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.88% annualized vs +1.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 35.2% compared with 17.1% 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 -79.0% for ACES 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACES charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACES currently yields 0.74% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
80.4% of ACES's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.4% of VTI's money is in holdings ACES also owns.
Most of ACES is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in ACES and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 38 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,141 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ACES (96.1% of the fund), and 3 for ACES that do not appear in VTI (7.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACES | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSLATesla Inc | 6.16% | 1.22% | 4.94% |
| HASIHa Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc | 6.69% | 0.01% | 6.68% |
| RIVNRivian Automotive | 6.43% | 0.02% | 6.41% |
| ITRIItron Inc | 6.08% | 0.01% | 6.07% |
| ALBAlbemarle Corp. | 5.68% | 0.02% | 5.66% |
| ORAOrange - Adr | 4.77% | 0.01% | 4.76% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 4.74% | 0.03% | 4.71% |
| PLUGPlug Power Inc | 4.31% | 0.00% | 4.31% |
| ENPHEnphase Energy Inc Common Stock | 4.25% | 0.01% | 4.24% |
| NXTNextpower Inc Class A Common Stock | 4.08% | 0.02% | 4.06% |
80.4% of ACES 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, ACES or VTI?
ACES has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACES or VTI?
Over the past year ACES returned -11.25% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), ACES annualized +1.95% vs +13.88% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACES or VTI?
ACES has been the more volatile fund at 35.2% annualized versus 17.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ACES -79.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ACES and VTI?
ACES and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 ACES and VTI?
80.4% of ACES's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.4% of VTI's is in holdings ACES also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in ACES and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACES or VTI?
ACES yields 0.74% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ACES?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.