DEEP vs VTI
Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DEEP or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DEEP is less concentrated, with 13.3% 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 | DEEP | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 101 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.96%Best | +13.60% |
| 1Y Return | +16.70% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.26% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.71% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,588 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Acquirers Funds, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2014 to Sep 25, 2026 (12 years).
DEEP 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 12 years both funds cover.
DEEP vs VTI Performance
Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF (DEEP) is an ETF from Acquirers Funds, LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DEEP returned +16.70% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, DEEP is up 16.96% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, DEEP compounded at +10.26% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.71% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.25% annualized vs +5.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DEEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 15.3% 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 -56.4% for DEEP 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DEEP charges 0.80% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $3 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DEEP currently yields 1.85% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
77.6% of DEEP's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of DEEP is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
78 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DEEP and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 101 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,150 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DEEP (97.5% of the fund), and 12 for DEEP that do not appear in VTI (12.2%).
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 DEEP | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCMTRcm Technologies Inc | 1.50% | 0.00% | 1.50% |
| TGNATrinet Group Inc | 1.49% | 0.00% | 1.49% |
| BXCBluelinx Holdings, Inc. | 1.33% | 0.00% | 1.33% |
| AMCXAmc Networks Inc Common Stock Usd | 1.28% | 0.00% | 1.28% |
| WETFWisdomtree International Equity | 1.28% | 0.00% | 1.28% |
| BLMNBloomin' Brands | 1.23% | 0.00% | 1.23% |
| AMRAlpha Metallurgical Res Inc Common Stock | 1.22% | 0.00% | 1.22% |
| KFRCKforce, Inc. | 1.22% | 0.00% | 1.22% |
| AAMIAcadian Asset Management Inc | 1.22% | 0.00% | 1.22% |
| IDTIdt Corp | 1.19% | 0.00% | 1.19% |
77.6% of DEEP 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, DEEP or VTI?
DEEP has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DEEP or VTI?
Over the past year DEEP returned +16.70% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), DEEP annualized +5.17% vs +12.25% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DEEP or VTI?
DEEP has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DEEP -56.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DEEP and VTI?
DEEP 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 DEEP and VTI?
77.6% of DEEP's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings DEEP also owns. They hold 78 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DEEP and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DEEP or VTI?
DEEP yields 1.85% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DEEP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DEEP?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DEEP is less concentrated, with 13.3% 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.