BRF vs VTI
VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BRF or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. BRF is less concentrated, with 28.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | BRF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $22M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.73% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 92 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.79% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.67% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.59% | +22.45%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.26% | +12.32%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.6% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,871 | $17,877Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.9%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 12, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2009 to Sep 29, 2026 (17.4 years).
BRF 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 17.4 years both funds cover.
BRF vs VTI Performance
VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF (BRF) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BRF returned +2.67% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, BRF is down 0.79% versus a gain of 12.25% for VTI.
Over three years, BRF compounded at +3.59% per year against +22.45% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.26% and +12.32% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.51% annualized vs +1.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BRF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.6% compared with 14.8% 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 -82.3% for BRF 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRF charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRF currently yields 5.73% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
2.1% of BRF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
BRF and VTI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in BRF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 92 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,150 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for BRF (97.5% of the fund), and 7 for BRF that do not appear in VTI (6.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BRF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLVMSylvamo Corp Ordinary Shares When Issued | 2.10% | 0.00% | 2.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRF 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, BRF or VTI?
BRF has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRF or VTI?
Over the past year BRF returned +2.67% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), BRF annualized +1.08% vs +13.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRF or VTI?
BRF has been the more volatile fund at 32.6% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BRF -82.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BRF and VTI?
BRF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 BRF and VTI?
2.1% of BRF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings BRF also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in BRF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BRF or VTI?
BRF yields 5.73% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BRF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BRF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. BRF is less concentrated, with 28.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.