BUYW vs VTI
Main BuyWrite ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BUYW or VTI?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | BUYW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.91% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 21 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.03% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.87% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.32% | +20.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $13,869 | $19,061Best |
| Fund Family | Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2022 to Sep 15, 2026 (4 years).
BUYW 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 4 years both funds cover.
BUYW vs VTI Performance
Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) is an ETF from Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUYW returned +3.87% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, BUYW is up 2.03% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, BUYW compounded at +7.32% per year against +20.67% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +17.50% annualized vs +8.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 4.5% for BUYW. 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 -9.4% for BUYW 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUYW charges 0.99% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $3 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUYW currently yields 5.91% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in BUYW and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 116.0% 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 9 positions we hold weights for in BUYW and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 21 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUYW 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, BUYW or VTI?
BUYW has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUYW or VTI?
Over the past year BUYW returned +3.87% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BUYW annualized +8.52% vs +17.50% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUYW or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 4.5% for BUYW. Worst drawdown: BUYW -9.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both BUYW and VTI?
BUYW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, BUYW or VTI?
BUYW yields 5.91% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BUYW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BUYW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.