AFOS vs VTI
ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AFOS or VTI?
AFOS has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AFOS led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.7%.
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 | AFOS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $301M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.22% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 33 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +28.43%Best | +13.14% |
| 1Y Return | +50.17%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.01% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 11.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.8% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $17,577Best | $12,606 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | ARS Investment | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1.2 years).
AFOS 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
AFOS vs VTI Performance
ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) is an ETF from ARS Investment and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AFOS returned +50.17% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, AFOS is up 28.43% versus a gain of 13.14% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFOS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 11.7% 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 -11.8% for AFOS and -8.9% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFOS charges 0.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFOS currently yields 0.22% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
87.9% of AFOS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 29.7% of VTI's money is in holdings AFOS also owns.
Most of AFOS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
27 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in AFOS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 33 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,123 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AFOS (67.8% of the fund), and 3 for AFOS that do not appear in VTI (9.8%).
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 AFOS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.42% | 6.40% | 1.98% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.20% | 6.29% | 4.09% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.61% | 4.79% | 1.18% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 4.38% | 2.90% | 1.48% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 6.67% | 0.13% | 6.54% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.42% | 3.65% | 1.23% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.09% | 1.29% | 2.80% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp 3.125 06/15/2060 | 4.32% | 0.51% | 3.81% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 4.60% | 0.14% | 4.46% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 4.18% | 0.12% | 4.06% |
87.9% of AFOS 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, AFOS or VTI?
AFOS has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFOS or VTI?
Over the past year AFOS returned +50.17% vs +16.63% for VTI, so AFOS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AFOS annualized +60.00% vs +21.29% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFOS or VTI?
AFOS has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 11.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AFOS -11.8% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both AFOS and VTI?
AFOS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 AFOS and VTI?
87.9% of AFOS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 29.7% of VTI's is in holdings AFOS also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in AFOS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFOS or VTI?
AFOS yields 0.22% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AFOS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AFOS led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.