BREM vs VTI
iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BREM or VTI?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y.
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 | BREM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.92% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 166 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +0.10% | +14.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.82% | +16.83%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.56% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.76% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.9%Best | 13.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 15, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BREM 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.
BREM vs VTI Performance
iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF (BREM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BREM returned +2.82% while VTI returned +16.83%. Year to date, BREM is up 0.10% versus a gain of 14.54% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 6.9% for BREM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BREM charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BREM currently yields 4.92% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 53 holdings in BREM and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 35.4% 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 53 positions we hold weights for in BREM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 166 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BREM 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, BREM or VTI?
BREM has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BREM or VTI?
Over the past year BREM returned +2.82% vs +16.83% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BREM or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 6.9% for BREM.
Should I hold both BREM and VTI?
BREM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, BREM or VTI?
BREM yields 4.92% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BREM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BREM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.