CAAA vs VTI
First Trust AAA CMBS ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CAAA or VTI?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | CAAA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $35M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.94% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 236 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +0.28% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.88% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.1%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.2%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $11,265 | $15,347Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.5 years).
CAAA 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
CAAA vs VTI Performance
First Trust AAA CMBS ETF (CAAA) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CAAA returned +0.88% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, CAAA is up 0.28% versus a gain of 12.57% 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 12.2% compared with 3.1% for CAAA. 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 -2.2% for CAAA 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 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAAA charges 0.30% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $3 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAAA currently yields 4.94% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 51 holdings in CAAA and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 43.5% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, CAAA as of Sep 1, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in CAAA and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 236 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAAA 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, CAAA or VTI?
CAAA has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAAA or VTI?
Over the past year CAAA returned +0.88% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAAA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 3.1% for CAAA. Worst drawdown: CAAA -2.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both CAAA and VTI?
CAAA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, 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, CAAA or VTI?
CAAA yields 4.94% while VTI yields 1.03%, so CAAA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CAAA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.