CSM vs VTI
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CSM or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CSM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | CSM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $530M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 308 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.69% | +12.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.59% | +19.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.04%Best | +20.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.14%Best | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,734Best | $17,404 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2009 to Sep 8, 2026 (17.2 years).
CSM 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 17.2 years both funds cover.
CSM vs VTI Performance
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CSM returned +18.59% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, CSM is up 10.69% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, CSM compounded at +21.04% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.14% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, CSM has the edge at +14.82% annualized vs +13.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -36.1% for CSM and -35.0% 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSM charges 0.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSM currently yields 1.04% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 298 holdings in CSM and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 89.6% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 266 positions appear in both.
266 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in CSM and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 308 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CSM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.00% | 6.32% | 1.32% |
| AAPLApple Inc Ord | 4.23% | 5.84% | 1.61% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.39% | 3.81% | 0.42% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.82% | 3.17% | 0.35% |
| GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A | 1.84% | 2.88% | 1.04% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.79% | 2.46% | 0.67% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc., Class C | 1.42% | 2.27% | 0.85% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.28% | 1.70% | 0.42% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.08% | 1.79% | 0.71% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 0.69% | 1.63% | 0.94% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CSM and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CSM or VTI?
CSM has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSM or VTI?
Over the past year CSM returned +18.59% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), CSM annualized +14.82% vs +13.64% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSM or VTI?
CSM has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: CSM -36.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both CSM and VTI?
CSM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSM or VTI?
CSM yields 1.04% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CSM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CSM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.