BST vs VTI
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BST or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BST led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y.
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 | BST | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.10% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 88 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +30.20%Best | +12.28% |
| 1Y Return | +37.32%Best | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.21%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.22% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,844 | $17,576Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 29, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2014 to Sep 17, 2026 (11.9 years).
BST 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
BST vs VTI Performance
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) 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 BST returned +37.32% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, BST is up 30.20% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, BST compounded at +27.21% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.22% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, BST has the edge at +12.66% annualized vs +12.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% compared with 15.3% 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 -46.6% for BST 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BST charges 1.10% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $110 vs $3 annually, a gap of $107 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BST currently yields 8.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 34.2% of VTI's money is in holdings BST also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BST, our book for it covers 73.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, BST as of Dec 31, 2025 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
32 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BST and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 88 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BST | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 11.57% | 6.40% | 5.17% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.47% | 6.29% | 0.82% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.69% | 4.79% | 1.90% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 8.37% | 2.56% | 5.81% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.77% | 2.90% | 0.87% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.21% | 3.65% | 2.44% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.24% | 1.70% | 0.54% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 2.27% | 0.51% | 1.76% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.32% | 1.22% | 0.10% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 2.25% | 0.13% | 2.12% |
34.2% of VTI is already inside BST.
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, BST or VTI?
BST has an expense ratio of 1.10% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $107 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BST or VTI?
Over the past year BST returned +37.32% vs +16.78% for VTI, so BST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), BST annualized +12.66% vs +12.29% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BST or VTI?
BST has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BST -46.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BST and VTI?
BST and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 BST and VTI?
At least 34.2% of VTI's money is in holdings BST also owns. Our book for BST is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BST and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BST or VTI?
BST yields 8.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BST?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BST led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.