BKLN vs VTI
Invesco Senior Loan ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BKLN or VTI?
Bank Loan 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 | BKLN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.42% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 167 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.50% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.72% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.74% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.57% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.8%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,113 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 3, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 3, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.5 years).
BKLN 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.
BKLN vs VTI Performance
Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BKLN returned +4.72% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, BKLN is up 2.50% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, BKLN compounded at +6.74% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.57% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.07% annualized vs +1.05%.
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 4.8% for BKLN. 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 -32.2% for BKLN 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BKLN 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, BKLN currently yields 6.42% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in BKLN and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 53.5% 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 100 positions we hold weights for in BKLN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 167 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BKLN 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, BKLN or VTI?
BKLN 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, BKLN or VTI?
Over the past year BKLN returned +4.72% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), BKLN annualized +1.05% vs +12.07% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BKLN or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 4.8% for BKLN. Worst drawdown: BKLN -32.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BKLN and VTI?
BKLN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, BKLN or VTI?
BKLN yields 6.42% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BKLN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BKLN?
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.