CZAR vs VTI
Themes Natural Monopoly ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CZAR 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 41.4%.
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 | CZAR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 218 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 12.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $13,383 | $16,124Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 59 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CZAR has data through Jul 28, 2026 and VTI through Sep 25, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2023 to Jul 28, 2026 (2.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 9.6% for CZAR. 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 -13.4% for CZAR 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CZAR 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, CZAR currently yields 1.42% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
62.1% of CZAR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 18.8% of VTI's money is in holdings CZAR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
44 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in CZAR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 218 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,106 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CZAR (78.7% of the fund), and 4 for CZAR that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 CZAR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.68% | 6.40% | 1.72% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 4.65% | 0.57% | 4.08% |
| MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc | 4.87% | 0.10% | 4.77% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.13% | 3.65% | 2.52% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.75% | 1.70% | 1.05% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.47% | 0.83% | 2.64% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.48% | 0.63% | 2.85% |
| CMECme Group, Cl A | 3.79% | 0.13% | 3.66% |
| BLKBlackrock Funding Inc/De | 3.61% | 0.21% | 3.40% |
| IBKRInteractive Brokers Group Inc | 3.48% | 0.05% | 3.43% |
62.1% of CZAR 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, CZAR or VTI?
CZAR 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 is riskier, CZAR or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 9.6% for CZAR. Worst drawdown: CZAR -13.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both CZAR and VTI?
CZAR 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 CZAR and VTI?
62.1% of CZAR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 18.8% of VTI's is in holdings CZAR also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in CZAR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CZAR or VTI?
CZAR yields 1.42% while VTI yields 1.03%, so CZAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CZAR?
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 41.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.