ETB vs VTI
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ETB or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%.
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 | ETB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $391M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.44% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 156 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.82% | +11.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.07% | +15.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.61% | +22.32%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.94% | +12.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,653 | $18,020Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.1% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 27, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2005 to Sep 30, 2026 (21.4 years).
ETB 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ETB vs VTI Performance
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund (ETB) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ETB returned +11.07% while VTI returned +15.05%. Year to date, ETB is up 6.82% versus a gain of 11.95% for VTI.
Over three years, ETB compounded at +16.61% per year against +22.32% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.94% and +12.50% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.64% annualized vs +1.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ETB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 15.4% 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 -59.4% for ETB and -56.6% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ETB charges 1.12% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $112 vs $3 annually, a gap of $109 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ETB currently yields 7.44% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.8% of ETB's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 60.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ETB also owns.
Most of ETB is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
131 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in ETB and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 156 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,021 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ETB (37.2% of the fund), and 0 for ETB 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 ETB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.77% | 6.40% | 1.37% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.06% | 6.29% | 0.77% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.84% | 4.79% | 0.05% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.04% | 3.65% | 0.39% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.41% | 2.90% | 0.51% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.19% | 2.56% | 0.63% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.63% | 2.31% | 0.32% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.07% | 1.70% | 0.37% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.17% | 1.08% | 1.09% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.94% | 1.28% | 0.66% |
99.8% of ETB 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, ETB or VTI?
ETB has an expense ratio of 1.12% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $109 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ETB or VTI?
Over the past year ETB returned +11.07% vs +15.05% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), ETB annualized +1.00% vs +9.64% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ETB or VTI?
ETB has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ETB -59.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ETB and VTI?
ETB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 ETB and VTI?
99.8% of ETB's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 60.3% of VTI's is in holdings ETB also owns. They hold 131 positions in common, counted across the 131 positions we hold weights for in ETB and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ETB or VTI?
ETB yields 7.44% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ETB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ETB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.