DON vs VTI
WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DON or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. DON is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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 | DON | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 297 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.30% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.93% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.47% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.98% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.4% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,372 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.3 years).
DON 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
DON vs VTI Performance
WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend Fund (DON) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DON returned +7.93% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, DON is up 8.30% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, DON compounded at +12.47% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.98% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.70% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DON has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% 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 -64.4% for DON and -56.6% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DON charges 0.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DON currently yields 2.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.1% of DON's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.7% of VTI's money is in holdings DON also owns.
Most of DON is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
280 positions in common, counted across the 291 positions we hold weights for in DON and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 297 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 890 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DON (93.8% of the fund), and 5 for DON that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
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 DON | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.41% | 0.02% | 1.39% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 1.36% | 0.03% | 1.33% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 1.37% | 0.01% | 1.36% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.29% | 0.02% | 1.27% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 1.22% | 0.02% | 1.20% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 1.13% | 0.02% | 1.11% |
| SWKStanley Black Decker Inc. | 1.07% | 0.02% | 1.05% |
| HASHasbro Inc. | 1.04% | 0.02% | 1.02% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 0.96% | 0.03% | 0.93% |
| AFGAmerican Financial Group Inc/Oh | 0.97% | 0.01% | 0.96% |
96.1% of DON 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, DON or VTI?
DON has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DON or VTI?
Over the past year DON returned +7.93% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DON annualized +6.82% vs +9.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DON or VTI?
DON has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DON -64.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both DON and VTI?
DON and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DON and VTI?
96.1% of DON's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.7% of VTI's is in holdings DON also owns. They hold 280 positions in common, counted across the 291 positions we hold weights for in DON and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DON or VTI?
DON yields 2.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DON currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DON?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. DON is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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.