ESMV vs VTI
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ESMV or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ESMV is less concentrated, with 15.2% 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 | ESMV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.44% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 162 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.01% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.01% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.03% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.99% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,376 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 4, 2021 to Oct 2, 2026 (4.9 years).
ESMV 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
ESMV vs VTI Performance
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) 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 ESMV returned +8.01% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, ESMV is up 9.01% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, ESMV compounded at +13.03% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.99% and +12.83% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.0% for ESMV. 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 -19.8% for ESMV and -25.4% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESMV charges 0.18% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $3 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESMV currently yields 1.44% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.9% of ESMV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 51.8% of VTI's money is in holdings ESMV also owns.
Most of ESMV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
154 positions in common, counted across the 159 positions we hold weights for in ESMV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 162 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,002 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ESMV (46.0% of the fund), and 3 for ESMV that do not appear in VTI (1.8%).
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 ESMV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.53% | 6.40% | 4.87% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.62% | 6.29% | 5.67% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.56% | 4.79% | 3.23% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.93% | 2.56% | 1.63% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.20% | 2.31% | 2.11% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.33% | 1.08% | 0.25% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.30% | 0.83% | 0.47% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.73% | 1.35% | 0.62% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.39% | 0.63% | 0.76% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.72% | 1.29% | 0.57% |
97.9% of ESMV 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, ESMV or VTI?
ESMV has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESMV or VTI?
Over the past year ESMV returned +8.01% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESMV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.0% for ESMV. Worst drawdown: ESMV -19.8% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both ESMV and VTI?
ESMV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 ESMV and VTI?
97.9% of ESMV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 51.8% of VTI's is in holdings ESMV also owns. They hold 154 positions in common, counted across the 159 positions we hold weights for in ESMV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESMV or VTI?
ESMV yields 1.44% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ESMV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ESMV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ESMV is less concentrated, with 15.2% 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.