DMA vs VTI
Destra Multi-Alternative Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DMA or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | DMA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.69% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $79M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 14.02% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 181 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -5.64% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.89% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.75% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.9% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $12,622 | $17,027Best |
| Fund Family | Destra Capital Investment LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 13, 2022 to Oct 1, 2026 (4.7 years).
DMA 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
DMA vs VTI Performance
Destra Multi-Alternative Fund (DMA) is an ETF from Destra Capital Investment LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DMA returned +1.89% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, DMA is down 5.64% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, DMA compounded at +17.75% per year against +22.50% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DMA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 15.7% 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 -38.9% for DMA and -22.8% 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 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DMA charges 3.69% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $369 vs $3 annually, a gap of $366 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DMA currently yields 14.02% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 16.3% of VTI's money is in holdings DMA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DMA, our book for it covers 39.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and DMA share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, DMA as of Dec 31, 2025 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
52 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in DMA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 181 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DMA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.41% | 4.79% | 4.38% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.45% | 2.56% | 2.11% |
| NHCNational Healthcare Corporation | 2.87% | 0.00% | 2.87% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.35% | 1.31% | 0.96% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.33% | 1.08% | 0.75% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.49% | 0.61% | 0.12% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.48% | 0.57% | 0.09% |
| SKYChampion Homes Inc Common | 0.85% | 0.01% | 0.84% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.47% | 0.29% | 0.18% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.19% | 0.55% | 0.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DMA and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DMA or VTI?
DMA has an expense ratio of 3.69% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $366 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DMA or VTI?
Over the past year DMA returned +1.89% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DMA or VTI?
DMA has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DMA -38.9% vs VTI -22.8%.
Should I hold both DMA and VTI?
DMA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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 DMA and VTI?
At least 16.3% of VTI's money is in holdings DMA also owns. Our book for DMA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in DMA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DMA or VTI?
DMA yields 14.02% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DMA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DMA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.