BIT vs VTI
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BIT or VTI?
Diversified Sectoral 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 | BIT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.26% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $748M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.31% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 1,589 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.03% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.62% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.05% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.92% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,469 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (13.5 years).
BIT 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.
BIT vs VTI Performance
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) 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 BIT returned -1.62% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, BIT is down 2.03% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, BIT compounded at +3.05% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.92% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.13% annualized vs +0.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.1% for BIT. 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 -53.3% for BIT 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIT charges 4.26% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $426 vs $3 annually, a gap of $423 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIT currently yields 11.31% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 955 holdings in BIT and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 81.9% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, BIT as of Dec 31, 2025 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 955 positions we hold weights for in BIT and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,589 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSNTVersant Media Group Inc-Wi | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIT 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, BIT or VTI?
BIT has an expense ratio of 4.26% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $423 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIT or VTI?
Over the past year BIT returned -1.62% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), BIT annualized +0.23% vs +13.13% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.1% for BIT. Worst drawdown: BIT -53.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BIT and VTI?
BIT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, BIT or VTI?
BIT yields 11.31% while VTI yields 1.07%, so BIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BIT?
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.