ARMU vs VTI

ARMU vs VTI

Which is better, ARMU or VTI?

VTI has been ahead.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns (full window): VTI

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

MetricARMUVTI
Expense Ratio1.05%0.03%Best
AUM$2M$666.9B
Dividend Yield0.00%1.03%
Holdings33,543
Volatility (annualized)111.1%8.9%Best
Max Drawdown-68.1%-14.9%Best
$10,000 over 1 years$6,451$11,679Best
Fund FamilyREX SharesVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
Style-Large Cap Blend
InceptionMar 4, 2025May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 186 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ARMU has data through Mar 16, 2026 and VTI through Sep 18, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 4, 2025 to Mar 16, 2026 (1 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

ARMU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 111.1% compared with 8.9% 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 -68.1% for ARMU and -14.9% 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 0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ARMU charges 1.05% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $3 annually, a gap of $102 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARMU currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of ARMU and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

ARMUVTI

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ARMU or VTI?

ARMU has an expense ratio of 1.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $102 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, ARMU or VTI?

ARMU has been the more volatile fund at 111.1% annualized versus 8.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ARMU -68.1% vs VTI -14.9%.

Should I hold both ARMU and VTI?

ARMU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.38, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, ARMU or VTI?

ARMU yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than ARMU?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.