BKT vs VTI
BlackRock Income Trust Inc vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BKT or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | BKT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $347M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.79% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 443 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.02% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.13% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.50% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.17% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.4%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.0%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,512 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 1, 1988 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 4, 2026 (25.3 years).
BKT 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.
BKT vs VTI Performance
BlackRock Income Trust Inc (BKT) 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 BKT returned -4.13% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, BKT is down 1.02% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, BKT compounded at +4.50% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -3.17% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.09% annualized vs -0.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 9.4% for BKT. 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 -46.0% for BKT and -56.6% 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 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BKT charges 2.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $275 vs $3 annually, a gap of $272 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BKT currently yields 9.79% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 91 holdings in BKT and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 21.2% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, BKT as of Mar 31, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 91 positions we hold weights for in BKT and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 443 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BKT 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, BKT or VTI?
BKT has an expense ratio of 2.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $272 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BKT or VTI?
Over the past year BKT returned -4.13% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), BKT annualized -0.92% vs +8.09% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BKT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 9.4% for BKT. Worst drawdown: BKT -46.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both BKT and VTI?
BKT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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, BKT or VTI?
BKT yields 9.79% while VTI yields 1.07%, so BKT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BKT?
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.