DIVZ vs VTI
Polen Dividend Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DIVZ or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DIVZ led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.7%.
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 | DIVZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $307M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.53% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 29 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.4%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $15,910Best | $15,865 |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | TrueShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 27, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 472 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DIVZ has data through Jun 13, 2025 and VTI through Sep 28, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2021 to Jun 13, 2025 (4.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.4% for DIVZ. 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 -15.4% for DIVZ and -25.4% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIVZ charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIVZ currently yields 2.53% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
87.5% of DIVZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 15.1% of VTI's money is in holdings DIVZ also owns.
Most of DIVZ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
25 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in DIVZ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 29 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,125 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DIVZ (82.4% of the fund), and 3 for DIVZ that do not appear in VTI (9.3%).
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 DIVZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.74% | 4.79% | 1.05% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 6.05% | 0.24% | 5.81% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 5.88% | 0.41% | 5.47% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 5.61% | 0.52% | 5.09% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 5.11% | 0.86% | 4.25% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.02% | 2.90% | 0.12% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 5.00% | 0.52% | 4.48% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.36% | 0.25% | 4.11% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 4.33% | 0.11% | 4.22% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.54% | 0.61% | 2.93% |
87.5% of DIVZ 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, DIVZ or VTI?
DIVZ has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DIVZ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.4% for DIVZ. Worst drawdown: DIVZ -15.4% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both DIVZ and VTI?
DIVZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 DIVZ and VTI?
87.5% of DIVZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 15.1% of VTI's is in holdings DIVZ also owns. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in DIVZ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIVZ or VTI?
DIVZ yields 2.53% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DIVZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DIVZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DIVZ led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.