BAFE vs VTI
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BAFE or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%.
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 | BAFE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.28% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 46 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +7.62% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.18% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,747 | $13,095Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
BAFE 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
BAFE vs VTI Performance
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BAFE returned +8.18% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, BAFE is up 7.62% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 12.9% 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 -18.4% for BAFE 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $3 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.28% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
83.5% of BAFE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.6% of VTI's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
Most of BAFE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
38 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 46 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,112 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for BAFE (61.8% of the fund), and 0 for BAFE that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 BAFE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.36% | 4.79% | 1.57% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.28% | 6.40% | 3.12% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.52% | 3.65% | 0.87% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.86% | 6.29% | 4.43% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.69% | 2.90% | 0.79% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.52% | 2.31% | 1.21% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.69% | 1.70% | 1.99% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.36% | 0.83% | 3.53% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 3.29% | 1.28% | 2.01% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.93% | 0.63% | 3.30% |
83.5% of BAFE 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, BAFE or VTI?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAFE or VTI?
Over the past year BAFE returned +8.18% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BAFE annualized +9.36% vs +16.16% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAFE or VTI?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 12.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BAFE -18.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both BAFE and VTI?
BAFE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BAFE and VTI?
83.5% of BAFE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.6% of VTI's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or VTI?
BAFE yields 0.28% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BAFE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.