DWSH vs VTI
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DWSH or VTI?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.83, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | DWSH | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 6.22% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.98% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 101 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -15.22% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | -13.44% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -7.18% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.70% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.5% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -84.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,861 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Advisor Shares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2018 to Sep 4, 2026 (8.2 years).
DWSH 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
DWSH vs VTI Performance
AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright Short ETF (DWSH) is an ETF from Advisor Shares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DWSH returned -13.44% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, DWSH is down 15.22% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, DWSH compounded at -7.18% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -4.70% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.75% annualized vs -14.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DWSH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.5% compared with 17.2% 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 -84.5% for DWSH 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 -0.83. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DWSH charges 6.22% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $622 vs $3 annually, a gap of $619 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DWSH currently yields 6.98% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 99 holdings in DWSH and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 0.0% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 82 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, DWSH as of Aug 17, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
82 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in DWSH and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 101 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DWSH | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CABOCable One Inc | -0.52% | 0.00% | 0.52% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | -1.00% | 0.41% | 1.41% |
| NKENike Inc | -0.74% | 0.07% | 0.81% |
| VRSKVerisk Analytics Inc. | -0.71% | 0.03% | 0.74% |
| CRMSalesforce Inc Crm Us Equity | -0.86% | 0.17% | 1.03% |
| ZTSZoetis Inc, Class A | -0.74% | 0.04% | 0.78% |
| FICOFair Isaac Corproation | -0.75% | 0.04% | 0.79% |
| CMGChipotle Mexican Grill Inc. Class A | -0.78% | 0.06% | 0.84% |
| TREELendingtree Inc | -0.76% | 0.00% | 0.76% |
| NUSNu Skin Enterprises Inc | -0.76% | 0.00% | 0.76% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DWSH 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, DWSH or VTI?
DWSH has an expense ratio of 6.22% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $619 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DWSH or VTI?
Over the past year DWSH returned -13.44% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DWSH annualized -14.75% vs +13.75% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DWSH or VTI?
DWSH has been the more volatile fund at 30.5% annualized versus 17.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DWSH -84.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DWSH and VTI?
DWSH and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.83, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DWSH or VTI?
DWSH yields 6.98% while VTI yields 1.07%, so DWSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DWSH?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.83, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.