BELT vs VTI
iShares US Select Equity Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BELT or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | BELT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 20 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 12.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,054 | $14,450Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 17, 2024 | May 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 30 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BELT has data through Aug 12, 2026 and VTI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2024 to Aug 12, 2026 (2.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BELT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 12.5% 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 -23.1% for BELT 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BELT charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BELT currently yields 0.02% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 83.1% of BELT's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% 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 BELT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
16 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 20 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BELT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 8.66% | 3.17% | 5.49% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.97% | 2.46% | 5.51% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 8.04% | 2.27% | 5.77% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 6.27% | 3.81% | 2.46% |
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 9.80% | 0.15% | 9.65% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 5.04% | 0.77% | 4.27% |
| VRTVertiv Group Corp | 5.40% | 0.18% | 5.22% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 4.45% | 0.56% | 3.89% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 4.76% | 0.14% | 4.62% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 3.41% | 1.30% | 2.11% |
83.1% of BELT 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, BELT or VTI?
BELT has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BELT or VTI?
BELT has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 12.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BELT -23.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both BELT and VTI?
BELT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 BELT and VTI?
At least 83.1% of BELT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BELT or VTI?
BELT yields 0.02% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BELT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.