DWAS vs VTI
Invesco Dorsey Wright SmallCap Momentum ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DWAS or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DWAS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DWAS is less concentrated, with 13.0% 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 | DWAS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $408M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 202 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.16%Best | +13.60% |
| 1Y Return | +20.82%Best | +18.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.05% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.60% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,522 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 19, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 19, 2012 to Sep 25, 2026 (14.2 years).
DWAS 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 14.2 years both funds cover.
DWAS vs VTI Performance
Invesco Dorsey Wright SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DWAS returned +20.82% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, DWAS is up 14.16% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, DWAS compounded at +15.05% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.60% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.23% annualized vs +11.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DWAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 14.5% 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 -46.2% for DWAS 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DWAS charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DWAS currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.8% of DWAS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's money is in holdings DWAS also owns.
Most of DWAS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
192 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in DWAS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 202 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,081 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DWAS (96.8% of the fund), and 7 for DWAS that do not appear in VTI (2.3%).
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 DWAS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERASErasca Inc. | 1.71% | 0.01% | 1.70% |
| SEZLUti Universal Technical Institute Inc. | 1.43% | 0.00% | 1.43% |
| ENVAEnova International Inc. (usd) | 1.39% | 0.01% | 1.38% |
| BELFBBel Fuse Inc Class B | 1.29% | 0.00% | 1.29% |
| AGLAgilon Health Inc 0.00000000 | 1.26% | 0.00% | 1.26% |
| CLYMClimb Bio Inc | 1.24% | 0.00% | 1.24% |
| AAMIAcadian Asset Management Inc | 1.20% | 0.00% | 1.20% |
| ORKAOruka Therapeutics Inc Orka | 1.19% | 0.01% | 1.18% |
| AMRXAmneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1.17% | 0.00% | 1.17% |
| TNGXTango Therapeutics Inc. | 1.14% | 0.01% | 1.13% |
96.8% of DWAS 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, DWAS or VTI?
DWAS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DWAS or VTI?
Over the past year DWAS returned +20.82% vs +18.17% for VTI, so DWAS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), DWAS annualized +11.44% vs +13.23% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DWAS or VTI?
DWAS has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DWAS -46.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DWAS and VTI?
DWAS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 DWAS and VTI?
96.8% of DWAS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's is in holdings DWAS also owns. They hold 192 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in DWAS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DWAS or VTI?
DWAS yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DWAS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DWAS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DWAS is less concentrated, with 13.0% 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.