EQL vs VTI
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EQL or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | EQL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $768M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 12 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.96% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.40% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.15% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.58% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,534 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2009 to Sep 4, 2026 (17.2 years).
EQL 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 17.2 years both funds cover.
EQL vs VTI Performance
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EQL returned +16.40% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, EQL is up 11.96% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, EQL compounded at +16.15% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.58% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.86% annualized vs +12.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 13.6% for EQL. 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 -36.4% for EQL 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQL charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQL currently yields 1.36% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 97.2% of EQL's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of EQL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
469 positions in common, counted across the 497 positions we hold weights for in EQL and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 12 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EQL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 1.91% | 6.32% | 4.41% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 4.92% | 2.88% | 2.04% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.64% | 5.84% | 4.20% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.67% | 3.17% | 0.50% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 1.33% | 3.81% | 2.48% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 2.75% | 0.78% | 1.97% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.69% | 1.70% | 0.01% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.67% | 2.46% | 1.79% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 1.42% | 1.63% | 0.21% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.52% | 1.40% | 0.12% |
97.2% of EQL 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, EQL or VTI?
EQL has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQL or VTI?
Over the past year EQL returned +16.40% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), EQL annualized +12.03% vs +13.86% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQL or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.6% for EQL. Worst drawdown: EQL -36.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both EQL and VTI?
EQL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EQL and VTI?
At least 97.2% of EQL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 469 positions in common, counted across the 497 positions we hold weights for in EQL and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQL or VTI?
EQL yields 1.36% while VTI yields 1.07%, so EQL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EQL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.