EMSF vs VTI
Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EMSF or VTI?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EMSF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y 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 | EMSF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $45M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 61 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +37.29%Best | +14.00% |
| 1Y Return | +37.77%Best | +16.88% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.58% | +22.75%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,674 | $18,495Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2023 to Sep 21, 2026 (3 years).
EMSF 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 3 years both funds cover.
EMSF vs VTI Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EMSF returned +37.77% while VTI returned +16.88%. Year to date, EMSF is up 37.29% versus a gain of 14.00% for VTI.
Over three years, EMSF compounded at +18.58% per year against +22.75% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMSF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 12.8% 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 -24.8% for EMSF and -19.3% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMSF charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMSF currently yields 1.35% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.5% of VTI's money is in holdings EMSF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for EMSF, our book for it covers 91.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EMSF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 61 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMSF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.63% | 0.51% | 1.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMSF 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, EMSF or VTI?
EMSF has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMSF or VTI?
Over the past year EMSF returned +37.77% vs +16.88% for VTI, so EMSF leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMSF or VTI?
EMSF has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EMSF -24.8% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both EMSF and VTI?
EMSF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, EMSF or VTI?
EMSF yields 1.35% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EMSF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EMSF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EMSF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.