ESML vs VTI
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ESML or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ESML led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. ESML is less concentrated, with 4.5% 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 | ESML | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 913 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.07%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +16.60%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.53% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.65% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 17.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,457 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 10, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 12, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.4 years).
ESML 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 8.4 years both funds cover.
ESML vs VTI Performance
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESML returned +16.60% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, ESML is up 14.07% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, ESML compounded at +16.53% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.65% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.72% annualized vs +9.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESML has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 17.0% 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 -42.0% for ESML 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESML charges 0.17% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $3 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESML currently yields 0.91% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
92.8% of ESML's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's money is in holdings ESML also owns.
Most of ESML is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
821 positions in common, counted across the 854 positions we hold weights for in ESML and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 913 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 624 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ESML (90.9% of the fund), and 18 for ESML that do not appear in VTI (1.6%).
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 ESML | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 0.74% | 0.03% | 0.71% |
| AIZAssurant, Inc. | 0.62% | 0.02% | 0.60% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.57% | 0.03% | 0.54% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.46% | 0.02% | 0.44% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.38% | 0.02% | 0.36% |
| OGSOne Gas Inc | 0.39% | 0.01% | 0.38% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.36% | 0.02% | 0.34% |
| TRMBTrimble Inc. | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.31% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| IVZInvesco Plc | 0.32% | 0.02% | 0.30% |
92.8% of ESML 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, ESML or VTI?
ESML has an expense ratio of 0.17% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESML or VTI?
Over the past year ESML returned +16.60% vs +16.08% for VTI, so ESML leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), ESML annualized +9.80% vs +13.72% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESML or VTI?
ESML has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 17.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ESML -42.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ESML and VTI?
ESML and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 ESML and VTI?
92.8% of ESML's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's is in holdings ESML also owns. They hold 821 positions in common, counted across the 854 positions we hold weights for in ESML and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESML or VTI?
ESML yields 0.91% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ESML?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ESML led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. ESML is less concentrated, with 4.5% 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.