BILS vs VTI
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BILS or VTI?
Ultrashort Term Bond 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 | BILS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.72% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 25 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.38% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.58% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.49% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.51% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.7%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.4%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,883 | $17,576Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2020 to Sep 17, 2026 (6 years).
BILS 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 6 years both funds cover.
BILS vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF (BILS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BILS returned +3.58% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, BILS is up 2.38% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, BILS compounded at +4.49% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.51% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +16.21% annualized vs +2.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 0.7% for BILS. 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 -0.4% for BILS and -25.4% 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 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BILS charges 0.14% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $3 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BILS currently yields 3.72% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in BILS and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 2.0% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in BILS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 25 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BILS and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BILS or VTI?
BILS has an expense ratio of 0.14% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BILS or VTI?
Over the past year BILS returned +3.58% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BILS annualized +2.92% vs +16.21% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BILS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 0.7% for BILS. Worst drawdown: BILS -0.4% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both BILS and VTI?
BILS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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, BILS or VTI?
BILS yields 3.72% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BILS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BILS?
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.