BMAR vs VTI
Innovator US Equity Buffer ETF - March vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BMAR or VTI?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | BMAR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $206M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 12 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.03% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.72% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.50% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.28% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 16.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.4%Best | -29.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,845 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 28, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 2, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (6.5 years).
BMAR 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
BMAR vs VTI Performance
Innovator US Equity Buffer ETF - March (BMAR) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BMAR returned +14.72% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, BMAR is up 11.03% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, BMAR compounded at +16.50% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.28% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.63% annualized vs +12.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 10.0% for BMAR. 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 -21.4% for BMAR and -29.5% 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BMAR charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BMAR currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BMAR 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, BMAR or VTI?
BMAR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BMAR or VTI?
Over the past year BMAR returned +14.72% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), BMAR annualized +12.83% vs +15.63% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BMAR or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 10.0% for BMAR. Worst drawdown: BMAR -21.4% vs VTI -29.5%.
Should I hold both BMAR and VTI?
BMAR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BMAR or VTI?
BMAR yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BMAR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.