COWS vs VTI
Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, COWS or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. COWS is less concentrated, with 32.0% 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 | COWS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.46% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 84 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +10.95% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.57% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.77% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.8% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $15,766 | $17,932Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 13, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (3.1 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 3.1 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 +15.57% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, COWS is up 10.95% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, COWS compounded at +17.77% per year against +23.41% 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 16.8% compared with 12.7% 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 0.74. 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 1.46% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.6% of COWS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.1% of VTI's money is in holdings COWS also owns.
Most of COWS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, COWS as of Sep 15, 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.
40 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 84 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,110 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for COWS (95.4% of the fund), and 1 for COWS that do not appear in VTI (0.4%).
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 COWS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTEKIndustrials (continued) Tetra Tech Inc. | 3.67% | 0.01% | 3.66% |
| INTUIntuit, Inc. | 3.24% | 0.12% | 3.12% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 3.12% | 0.14% | 2.98% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 3.23% | 0.02% | 3.21% |
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 3.20% | 0.05% | 3.15% |
| CORCencora Inc | 3.15% | 0.08% | 3.07% |
| CCKCrown Holdings Inc. | 3.19% | 0.02% | 3.17% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 2.96% | 0.21% | 2.75% |
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 3.08% | 0.08% | 3.00% |
| OSKOshkosh Corp. | 3.07% | 0.01% | 3.06% |
99.6% 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.
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 +15.57% vs +15.92% 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, COWS or VTI?
COWS has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 12.7% 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 0.74, 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?
99.6% of COWS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.1% of VTI's is in holdings COWS also owns. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWS or VTI?
COWS yields 1.46% while VTI yields 1.03%, so COWS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than COWS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. COWS is less concentrated, with 32.0% 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.