CTIF vs VTI
Castellan Targeted Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CTIF or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.8%.
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 | CTIF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $192M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.73% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 45 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +3.54% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.25% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +23.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.3%Best | 11.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.6% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,782 | $13,001Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Castellan ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 24, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 25, 2026 (1.3 years).
CTIF 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
CTIF vs VTI Performance
Castellan Targeted Income ETF (CTIF) is an ETF from Castellan ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CTIF returned +3.25% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, CTIF is up 3.54% versus a gain of 13.60% 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 11.3% for CTIF. 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 -10.6% for CTIF 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CTIF 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, CTIF currently yields 4.73% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.5% of CTIF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.9% of VTI's money is in holdings CTIF also owns.
Most of CTIF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
21 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in CTIF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 45 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,130 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CTIF (87.7% of the fund), and 2 for CTIF that do not appear in VTI (1.5%).
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 CTIF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.21% | 4.79% | 0.42% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.39% | 2.56% | 1.83% |
| PHParker-Hannifin Corp. | 5.84% | 0.17% | 5.67% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 5.04% | 0.40% | 4.64% |
| GWWWw Grainger Inc. | 5.34% | 0.09% | 5.25% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 5.18% | 0.15% | 5.03% |
| AMPAmeriprise Financial Inc | 5.18% | 0.07% | 5.11% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 4.83% | 0.14% | 4.69% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 4.92% | 0.02% | 4.90% |
| ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. | 4.67% | 0.11% | 4.56% |
98.5% of CTIF 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, CTIF or VTI?
CTIF 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, CTIF or VTI?
Over the past year CTIF returned +3.25% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), CTIF annualized +5.96% vs +22.37% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CTIF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 11.7% annualized versus 11.3% for CTIF. Worst drawdown: CTIF -10.6% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both CTIF and VTI?
CTIF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 CTIF and VTI?
98.5% of CTIF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.9% of VTI's is in holdings CTIF also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in CTIF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CTIF or VTI?
CTIF yields 4.73% while VTI yields 1.03%, so CTIF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CTIF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.