BFOR vs VTI
Barron'S 400 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BFOR or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | BFOR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $237M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 396 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.18%Best | +13.95% |
| 1Y Return | +20.88% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.12% | +21.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.58% | +11.77%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,534 | $17,443Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 3, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2013 to Sep 3, 2026 (13.2 years).
BFOR 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
BFOR vs VTI Performance
Barron'S 400 ETF (BFOR) is an ETF from ALPS ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BFOR returned +20.88% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, BFOR is up 16.18% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Over three years, BFOR compounded at +19.12% per year against +21.10% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.58% and +11.77% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.72% annualized vs +11.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BFOR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 14.8% 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 -42.2% for BFOR and -35.0% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BFOR charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BFOR currently yields 0.52% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 74.0% of BFOR'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 BFOR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
292 positions in common, counted across the 378 positions we hold weights for in BFOR and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 396 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BFOR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.27% | 6.32% | 6.05% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.26% | 5.84% | 5.58% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 0.27% | 3.81% | 3.54% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 0.24% | 2.88% | 2.64% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.26% | 2.46% | 2.20% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.48% | 1.79% | 1.31% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.25% | 1.40% | 1.15% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 0.32% | 0.79% | 0.47% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 0.33% | 0.74% | 0.41% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.23% | 0.84% | 0.61% |
74.0% of BFOR 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, BFOR or VTI?
BFOR has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BFOR or VTI?
Over the past year BFOR returned +20.88% vs +21.44% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), BFOR annualized +11.18% vs +12.72% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BFOR or VTI?
BFOR has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BFOR -42.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BFOR and VTI?
BFOR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 BFOR and VTI?
At least 74.0% of BFOR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 292 positions in common, counted across the 378 positions we hold weights for in BFOR and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BFOR or VTI?
BFOR yields 0.52% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BFOR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.