CARU vs VTI
MAX Auto Industry 3X Leveraged ETN vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CARU or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.8%.
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 | CARU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 24 | 3,542 |
| YTD Return | -33.49% | +12.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | -33.84% | +12.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.68% | +21.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 64.4% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.4% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $7,565 | $18,071Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 77.8% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | BMO Capital Markets | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 30, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 28, 2023 to Nov 11, 2026 (3.4 years).
CARU 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 3.4 years both funds cover.
CARU vs VTI Performance
MAX Auto Industry 3X Leveraged ETN (CARU) is an ETF from BMO Capital Markets and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CARU returned -33.84% while VTI returned +12.74%. Year to date, CARU is down 33.49% versus a gain of 12.23% for VTI.
Over three years, CARU compounded at +10.68% per year against +21.44% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CARU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 64.4% compared with 12.8% 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 -66.4% for CARU 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CARU charges 0.95% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CARU currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
91.1% of CARU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's money is in holdings CARU also owns.
Most of CARU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in CARU and 3,464 in VTI, against full books of 24 and 3,542.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,115 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CARU (95.1% of the fund), and 2 for CARU that do not appear in VTI (2.3%).
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 CARU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSLATesla Inc | 13.84% | 1.36% | 12.48% |
| AZOAutozone Inc | 11.23% | 0.06% | 11.17% |
| CVNACarvana Co. Class A | 9.39% | 0.06% | 9.33% |
| FFord Motor Co | 8.87% | 0.06% | 8.81% |
| GMGeneral Motors Co | 8.17% | 0.09% | 8.08% |
| ORLYO'reilly Automotive, Inc. | 7.75% | 0.09% | 7.66% |
| RIVNRivian Automotive Inc | 7.68% | 0.02% | 7.66% |
| GPCGenuine Parts Co | 3.55% | 0.02% | 3.53% |
| KMXCarmax Inc. | 3.44% | 0.01% | 3.43% |
| ANAutonation, Inc | 2.33% | 0.01% | 2.32% |
91.1% of CARU 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, CARU or VTI?
CARU has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CARU or VTI?
Over the past year CARU returned -33.84% vs +12.74% 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, CARU or VTI?
CARU has been the more volatile fund at 64.4% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: CARU -66.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both CARU and VTI?
CARU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 CARU and VTI?
91.1% of CARU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's is in holdings CARU also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in CARU and 3,464 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CARU or VTI?
CARU yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CARU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.