BDJ vs VTI
Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BDJ or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | BDJ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.22% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 307 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.27% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.47% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.40% | +21.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.48% | +11.77%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,728 | $17,443Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 26, 2005 to Sep 3, 2026 (21 years).
BDJ 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BDJ vs VTI Performance
Blackrock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BDJ returned +20.47% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, BDJ is up 11.27% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Over three years, BDJ compounded at +18.40% per year against +21.10% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.48% and +11.77% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.63% annualized vs +0.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BDJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 15.5% 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 -67.3% for BDJ and -56.6% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BDJ charges 0.84% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $3 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BDJ currently yields 8.22% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 82.8% of BDJ'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.
Most of BDJ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, BDJ as of Mar 31, 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.
71 positions in common, counted across the 85 positions we hold weights for in BDJ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 307 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BDJ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.72% | 3.81% | 1.09% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.41% | 3.17% | 0.76% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.09% | 2.27% | 0.18% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 2.03% | 1.70% | 0.33% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 2.88% | 0.32% | 2.56% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 2.79% | 0.35% | 2.44% |
| ICEInternational Exchange, Inc. | 2.64% | 0.10% | 2.54% |
| CVSCvs Health Corp. | 2.13% | 0.18% | 1.95% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.84% | 0.44% | 1.40% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.11% | 1.11% | 0.00% |
82.8% of BDJ 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, BDJ or VTI?
BDJ has an expense ratio of 0.84% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BDJ or VTI?
Over the past year BDJ returned +20.47% vs +21.44% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), BDJ annualized +0.48% vs +9.63% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BDJ or VTI?
BDJ has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BDJ -67.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both BDJ and VTI?
BDJ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 BDJ and VTI?
At least 82.8% of BDJ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 71 positions in common, counted across the 85 positions we hold weights for in BDJ and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BDJ or VTI?
BDJ yields 8.22% while VTI yields 1.07%, so BDJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BDJ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.