CBLS vs VTI
Clough Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CBLS or VTI?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. CBLS is less concentrated, with 29.0% 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 | CBLS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.89% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 79 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.8% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $13,962 | $17,179Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Changebridge Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 622 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CBLS has data through Jan 17, 2025 and VTI through Oct 1, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 13, 2020 to Jan 17, 2025 (4.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CBLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 16.1% 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 -32.8% for CBLS and -25.4% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CBLS charges 1.89% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $189 vs $3 annually, a gap of $186 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CBLS currently yields 0.81% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
78.0% of CBLS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.1% of VTI's money is in holdings CBLS also owns.
Most of CBLS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, CBLS as of Sep 18, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
66 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in CBLS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 79 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,097 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CBLS (81.4% of the fund), and 5 for CBLS that do not appear in VTI (11.5%).
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 CBLS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.09% | 6.40% | 3.31% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.39% | 2.31% | 0.08% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.39% | 1.70% | 0.69% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 3.02% | 0.12% | 2.90% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 2.84% | 0.23% | 2.61% |
| VGVenture Global Inc | 3.06% | 0.00% | 3.06% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc | 2.77% | 0.26% | 2.51% |
| APAAPA Corp. | 3.01% | 0.02% | 2.99% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.48% | 0.52% | 1.96% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 2.89% | 0.08% | 2.81% |
78.0% of CBLS 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, CBLS or VTI?
CBLS has an expense ratio of 1.89% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $186 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CBLS or VTI?
CBLS has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: CBLS -32.8% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both CBLS and VTI?
CBLS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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 CBLS and VTI?
78.0% of CBLS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.1% of VTI's is in holdings CBLS also owns. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in CBLS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CBLS or VTI?
CBLS yields 0.81% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CBLS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. CBLS is less concentrated, with 29.0% 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.