BUSA vs VTI
Brandes US Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BUSA or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BUSA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. BUSA is less concentrated, with 24.3% 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 | BUSA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $324M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 65 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.06% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.67%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.72% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,314 | $18,668Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Brandes Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3 years).
BUSA 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 3 years both funds cover.
BUSA vs VTI Performance
Brandes US Value ETF (BUSA) is an ETF from Brandes Investment Partners and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUSA returned +16.67% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, BUSA is up 10.06% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, BUSA compounded at +17.72% per year against +21.01% 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 12.8% compared with 12.5% for BUSA. 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 -14.2% for BUSA and -19.3% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUSA 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, BUSA currently yields 1.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
90.0% of BUSA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 10.3% of VTI's money is in holdings BUSA also owns.
Most of BUSA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
57 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in BUSA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 65 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,096 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for BUSA (87.2% of the fund), and 4 for BUSA that do not appear in VTI (5.6%).
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 BUSA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.98% | 2.31% | 0.33% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.97% | 0.45% | 2.52% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.68% | 0.55% | 2.13% |
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 2.92% | 0.06% | 2.86% |
| CICigna Corp. | 2.52% | 0.10% | 2.42% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 2.09% | 0.52% | 1.57% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 2.06% | 0.37% | 1.69% |
| TXTTextron Inc. | 2.39% | 0.02% | 2.37% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 2.17% | 0.20% | 1.97% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 2.32% | 0.02% | 2.30% |
90.0% of BUSA is already inside VTI.
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, BUSA or VTI?
BUSA 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, BUSA or VTI?
Over the past year BUSA returned +16.67% vs +16.08% for VTI, so BUSA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUSA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 12.5% for BUSA. Worst drawdown: BUSA -14.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both BUSA and VTI?
BUSA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 BUSA and VTI?
90.0% of BUSA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 10.3% of VTI's is in holdings BUSA also owns. They hold 57 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in BUSA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUSA or VTI?
BUSA yields 1.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BUSA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BUSA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. BUSA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. BUSA is less concentrated, with 24.3% 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.