COWS vs VTI

COWS vs VTI

Which is better, COWS or VTI?

Each has led over a different period.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. COWS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: split

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

MetricCOWSVTI
Expense Ratio0.19%0.03%Best
AUM$44M$666.9B
Dividend Yield1.53%1.07%
Holdings423,543
YTD Return+20.62%Best+13.59%
1Y Return+26.60%Best+20.00%
3Y Return (annualized)+19.57%+20.95%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-+11.81%
Volatility (annualized)15.7%12.8%Best
Max Drawdown-24.8%-19.3%Best
$10,000 over 3 years$17,095$17,896Best
Fund FamilyAmplify ETFsVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionSep 13, 2023May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (3 years).

COWS 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 years both funds cover.

COWS vs VTI Performance

Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year COWS returned +26.60% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, COWS is up 20.62% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.

Over three years, COWS compounded at +19.57% per year against +20.95% for VTI.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

COWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% 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 -24.8% for COWS 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

COWS charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWS currently yields 1.53% against 1.07% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

COWS already in VTI88.7%

At least 88.7% of COWS's money is in holdings VTI also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

Most of COWS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

35 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 42 and 3,543.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in COWSWeight in VTIDifference
BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc.3.54%0.19%3.35%
OCOwens Corning3.62%0.02%3.60%
TTEKTetra Tech Inc3.46%0.01%3.45%
CCKCrown Holdings Inc.3.36%0.02%3.34%
WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc3.23%0.04%3.19%
OSKOshkosh Corp.3.25%0.01%3.24%
ROPROPER TECHNOLOGIES INC3.19%0.05%3.14%
INTUIntuitinc.3.04%0.10%2.94%
SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc.3.08%0.02%3.06%
CORCencora Inc3.02%0.07%2.95%

88.7% of COWS 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.

COWSVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, COWS or VTI?

COWS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, COWS or VTI?

Over the past year COWS returned +26.60% vs +20.00% for VTI, so COWS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, COWS or VTI?

COWS has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: COWS -24.8% vs VTI -19.3%.

Should I hold both COWS and VTI?

COWS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 COWS and VTI?

At least 88.7% of COWS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 2,788 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, COWS or VTI?

COWS yields 1.53% while VTI yields 1.07%, so COWS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than COWS?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. COWS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.