CSTK vs VTI
Invesco Comstock Contrarian Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CSTK or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CSTK led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. CSTK is less concentrated, with 30.5% 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 | CSTK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $180M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.14% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 55 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.19% | +13.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.80%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.01% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 11.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $13,331 | $13,968Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 7, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 7, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1.4 years).
CSTK 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
CSTK vs VTI Performance
Invesco Comstock Contrarian Equity ETF (CSTK) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CSTK returned +17.80% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, CSTK is up 12.19% versus a gain of 13.14% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.7% compared with 11.0% for CSTK. 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 -9.3% for CSTK and -8.9% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSTK charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSTK currently yields 2.14% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.6% of CSTK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 20.8% of VTI's money is in holdings CSTK also owns.
Most of CSTK is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
54 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in CSTK and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 55 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,096 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CSTK (76.6% of the fund), and 2 for CSTK that do not appear in VTI (4.2%).
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 CSTK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.30% | 4.79% | 1.49% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.81% | 2.90% | 0.91% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 3.36% | 0.57% | 2.79% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 3.12% | 0.55% | 2.57% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 3.03% | 0.45% | 2.58% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 3.02% | 0.37% | 2.65% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 2.83% | 0.52% | 2.31% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.50% | 1.70% | 0.20% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 2.62% | 0.41% | 2.21% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 2.78% | 0.07% | 2.71% |
94.6% of CSTK 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, CSTK or VTI?
CSTK has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSTK or VTI?
Over the past year CSTK returned +17.80% vs +16.63% for VTI, so CSTK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), CSTK annualized +22.80% vs +26.96% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSTK or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 11.7% annualized versus 11.0% for CSTK. Worst drawdown: CSTK -9.3% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both CSTK and VTI?
CSTK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 CSTK and VTI?
94.6% of CSTK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 20.8% of VTI's is in holdings CSTK also owns. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in CSTK and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSTK or VTI?
CSTK yields 2.14% while VTI yields 1.03%, so CSTK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CSTK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CSTK led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. CSTK is less concentrated, with 30.5% 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.