CARK vs VTI
CastleArk Large Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CARK or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.0%.
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 | CARK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $339M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 29 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +7.23% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.48% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $15,640 | $17,148Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | CastleArk Management LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 6, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.8 years).
CARK 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
CARK vs VTI Performance
CastleArk Large Growth ETF (CARK) is an ETF from CastleArk Management LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CARK returned +9.48% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, CARK is up 7.23% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CARK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 12.1% 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 -25.2% for CARK 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CARK charges 0.54% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $3 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CARK currently yields 0.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.8% of CARK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 36.0% of VTI's money is in holdings CARK also owns.
Most of CARK is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
28 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in CARK and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 29 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,122 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CARK (61.5% of the fund), and 0 for CARK that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 CARK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 13.97% | 6.40% | 7.57% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.60% | 6.29% | 0.31% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 9.54% | 2.90% | 6.64% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.82% | 4.79% | 0.03% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.71% | 2.56% | 2.15% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 5.43% | 1.35% | 4.08% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.70% | 3.65% | 0.95% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.76% | 0.83% | 3.93% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 4.79% | 0.51% | 4.28% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc Common Stock | 5.02% | 0.27% | 4.75% |
98.8% of CARK 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, CARK or VTI?
CARK has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CARK or VTI?
Over the past year CARK returned +9.48% vs +16.78% 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, CARK or VTI?
CARK has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 12.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: CARK -25.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both CARK and VTI?
CARK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CARK and VTI?
98.8% of CARK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 36.0% of VTI's is in holdings CARK also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in CARK and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CARK or VTI?
CARK yields 0.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CARK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.