DWAT vs VTI
Arrow DWA Tactical ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DWAT or VTI?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | DWAT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.83% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.89% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 12 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 10.7 years | $16,582 | $31,441Best |
| Fund Family | Arrow Investment Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 445 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. DWAT has data through Jun 23, 2025 and VTI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2014 to Jun 23, 2025 (10.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 12.8% for DWAT. 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 -34.7% for DWAT 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DWAT charges 1.83% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $183 vs $3 annually, a gap of $180 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DWAT currently yields 10.89% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DWAT 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, DWAT or VTI?
DWAT has an expense ratio of 1.83% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $180 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, DWAT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 12.8% for DWAT. Worst drawdown: DWAT -34.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DWAT and VTI?
DWAT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DWAT or VTI?
DWAT yields 10.89% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DWAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DWAT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.