DSI vs VTI
iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DSI or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.5%.
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 | DSI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 407 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.41%Best | +11.53% |
| 1Y Return | +17.00%Best | +15.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.70%Best | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.90%Best | +11.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -55.1%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,545Best | $17,303 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.5% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 14, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2006 to Sep 15, 2026 (19.8 years).
DSI 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
DSI vs VTI Performance
iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DSI returned +17.00% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, DSI is up 12.41% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, DSI compounded at +20.70% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.90% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, DSI has the edge at +9.53% annualized vs +9.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.8% for DSI. 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 -55.1% for DSI 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSI charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSI currently yields 0.84% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.7% of DSI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.5% of VTI's money is in holdings DSI also owns.
Most of DSI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
390 positions in common, counted across the 400 positions we hold weights for in DSI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 407 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 803 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DSI (50.2% of the fund), and 5 for DSI that do not appear in VTI (0.6%).
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 DSI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 14.08% | 6.40% | 7.68% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 9.93% | 4.79% | 5.14% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 5.53% | 2.90% | 2.63% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.35% | 2.31% | 2.04% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.92% | 1.22% | 1.70% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.13% | 1.08% | 1.05% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.75% | 0.83% | 0.92% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.33% | 0.63% | 0.70% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.26% | 0.61% | 0.65% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.21% | 0.57% | 0.64% |
98.7% of DSI 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, DSI or VTI?
DSI has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSI or VTI?
Over the past year DSI returned +17.00% vs +15.74% for VTI, so DSI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DSI annualized +9.53% vs +9.27% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.8% for DSI. Worst drawdown: DSI -55.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both DSI and VTI?
DSI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 DSI and VTI?
98.7% of DSI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.5% of VTI's is in holdings DSI also owns. They hold 390 positions in common, counted across the 400 positions we hold weights for in DSI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DSI or VTI?
DSI yields 0.84% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DSI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.