BKSE vs VTI
BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BKSE or VTI?
Small Cap Blend 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 | BKSE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $89M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 598 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -61.11% | +12.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -59.15% | +19.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -18.44% | +20.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -13.23% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.2% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.5% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,919 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | BNY Mellon Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2020 to Sep 8, 2026 (6.4 years).
BKSE 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
BKSE vs VTI Performance
BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BKSE returned -59.15% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, BKSE is down 61.11% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, BKSE compounded at -18.44% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -13.23% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +18.21% annualized vs -2.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BKSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.2% compared with 15.6% 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 -67.5% for BKSE 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BKSE charges 0.04% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $3 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BKSE currently yields 1.85% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.4% of BKSE'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 BKSE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, BKSE as of Aug 17, 2026 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.
438 positions in common, counted across the 584 positions we hold weights for in BKSE and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 598 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BKSE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EATBrinker Intl Inc | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| AVTRAvantor Inc. Preferred | 0.38% | 0.00% | 0.38% |
| RALRalliant Corp | 0.34% | 0.01% | 0.33% |
| HXLHexcel Corp | 0.33% | 0.01% | 0.32% |
| RHPRyman Hospitality Properties,Inc | 0.32% | 0.01% | 0.31% |
| QBTSD-Wave Quantum Inc. | 0.32% | 0.01% | 0.31% |
| THGHanover Insurance Group Inc | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.33% |
| NOVNov Inc | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.32% |
| ETSYEtsy Inc | 0.32% | 0.00% | 0.32% |
| SMSm Energy Co_None_0 | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
73.4% of BKSE 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, BKSE or VTI?
BKSE has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BKSE or VTI?
Over the past year BKSE returned -59.15% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BKSE annualized -2.15% vs +18.21% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BKSE or VTI?
BKSE has been the more volatile fund at 33.2% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BKSE -67.5% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both BKSE and VTI?
BKSE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 BKSE and VTI?
At least 73.4% of BKSE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 438 positions in common, counted across the 584 positions we hold weights for in BKSE and 2,788 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BKSE or VTI?
BKSE yields 1.85% while VTI yields 1.07%, so BKSE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BKSE?
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.