EPSV vs VTI
Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EPSV or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EPSV led over 1Y and the full window. EPSV is less concentrated, with 25.2% 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 | EPSV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.28% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 62 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +20.01%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +27.12%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Tie | -8.9%Tie |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $14,884Best | $13,589 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.4 years).
EPSV 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
EPSV vs VTI Performance
Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EPSV returned +27.12% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, EPSV is up 20.01% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPSV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 12.1% 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 -8.9% for EPSV and -8.9% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPSV charges 0.88% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $3 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPSV currently yields 2.28% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.3% of EPSV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's money is in holdings EPSV also owns.
Most of EPSV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
60 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in EPSV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 62 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,099 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EPSV (96.4% of the fund), and 0 for EPSV that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 EPSV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOG.AMoog Inccommon Stock | 3.70% | 0.02% | 3.68% |
| SANMSanmina Corp | 3.10% | 0.01% | 3.09% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 2.70% | 0.01% | 2.69% |
| AEISAdvanced Energy Industries Inc. | 2.50% | 0.02% | 2.48% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 2.40% | 0.02% | 2.38% |
| DGIIDigi International Inc | 2.40% | 0.00% | 2.40% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 2.20% | 0.01% | 2.19% |
| JJacobs Engineering Group Inc. | 2.10% | 0.02% | 2.08% |
| PFGCPerformance Food Group Co | 2.10% | 0.02% | 2.08% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 2.00% | 0.02% | 1.98% |
97.3% of EPSV 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, EPSV or VTI?
EPSV has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPSV or VTI?
Over the past year EPSV returned +27.12% vs +15.41% for VTI, so EPSV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EPSV annualized +32.85% vs +24.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPSV or VTI?
EPSV has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 12.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EPSV -8.9% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both EPSV and VTI?
EPSV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 EPSV and VTI?
97.3% of EPSV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's is in holdings EPSV also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in EPSV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPSV or VTI?
EPSV yields 2.28% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EPSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EPSV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EPSV led over 1Y and the full window. EPSV is less concentrated, with 25.2% 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.