BSTZ vs VTI
BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BSTZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BSTZ 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 | BSTZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.13% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 75 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +50.33%Best | +14.72% |
| 1Y Return | +57.47%Best | +16.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.60%Best | +22.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.94% | +12.78%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.7% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,653 | $18,246Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2019 to Oct 6, 2026 (7.3 years).
BSTZ 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 7.3 years both funds cover.
BSTZ vs VTI Performance
BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ) 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 BSTZ returned +57.47% while VTI returned +16.82%. Year to date, BSTZ is up 50.33% versus a gain of 14.72% for VTI.
Over three years, BSTZ compounded at +40.60% per year against +22.93% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.94% and +12.78% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, BSTZ has the edge at +15.97% annualized vs +15.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BSTZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.7% compared with 16.8% 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 -59.3% for BSTZ 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSTZ charges 1.05% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $3 annually, a gap of $102 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BSTZ currently yields 7.13% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 12.0% of VTI's money is in holdings BSTZ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BSTZ, our book for it covers 62.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and BSTZ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, BSTZ 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.
34 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in BSTZ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 75 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BSTZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.29% | 6.40% | 1.89% |
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 3.96% | 0.08% | 3.88% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.47% | 1.22% | 0.25% |
| FNFabrinet | 2.59% | 0.02% | 2.57% |
| CRDO:KYCredo Technology Group Holding Ltd | 2.51% | 0.05% | 2.46% |
| APPAppLovin Corp. Com Cl A | 1.90% | 0.15% | 1.75% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 1.89% | 0.13% | 1.76% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.64% | 1.29% | 0.65% |
| KLACKla Corp | 1.48% | 0.33% | 1.15% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.68% | 1.08% | 0.40% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSTZ 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, BSTZ or VTI?
BSTZ has an expense ratio of 1.05% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $102 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BSTZ or VTI?
Over the past year BSTZ returned +57.47% vs +16.82% for VTI, so BSTZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), BSTZ annualized +15.97% vs +15.16% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSTZ or VTI?
BSTZ has been the more volatile fund at 28.7% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BSTZ -59.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BSTZ and VTI?
BSTZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 BSTZ and VTI?
At least 12.0% of VTI's money is in holdings BSTZ also owns. Our book for BSTZ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 34 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in BSTZ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BSTZ or VTI?
BSTZ yields 7.13% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BSTZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BSTZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BSTZ 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.