EXI vs VTI
iShares Global Industrials ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EXI or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. EXI is less concentrated, with 23.2% 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 | EXI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.07% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 238 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +7.10% | +11.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.82% | +15.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.89% | +22.32%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.71% | +12.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,396 | $18,020Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2006 to Sep 30, 2026 (20 years).
EXI 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 20 years both funds cover.
EXI vs VTI Performance
iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) 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 EXI returned +10.82% while VTI returned +15.05%. Year to date, EXI is up 7.10% versus a gain of 11.95% for VTI.
Over three years, EXI compounded at +20.89% per year against +22.32% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.71% and +12.50% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.54% annualized vs +7.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.8% 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 -63.9% for EXI 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EXI charges 0.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EXI currently yields 1.07% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
55.3% of EXI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.0% of VTI's money is in holdings EXI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
84 positions in common, counted across the 219 positions we hold weights for in EXI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 238 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,067 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EXI (89.5% of the fund), and 3 for EXI that do not appear in VTI (0.7%).
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 EXI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 3.63% | 0.52% | 3.11% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 3.46% | 0.52% | 2.94% |
| RTXRaytheon Co. | 2.77% | 0.40% | 2.37% |
| GEVGE Vernova Inc. CDR (CAD Hedged) | 2.39% | 0.37% | 2.02% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.77% | 0.24% | 1.53% |
| BABoeing Co | 1.62% | 0.24% | 1.38% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 1.63% | 0.21% | 1.42% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 1.54% | 0.22% | 1.32% |
| UBERUber Technologies Inc | 1.52% | 0.20% | 1.32% |
| PHParker-Hannifin Corp. | 1.22% | 0.17% | 1.05% |
55.3% of EXI 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, EXI or VTI?
EXI has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EXI or VTI?
Over the past year EXI returned +10.82% vs +15.05% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EXI annualized +7.25% vs +9.54% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EXI or VTI?
EXI has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EXI -63.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both EXI and VTI?
EXI 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 EXI and VTI?
55.3% of EXI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.0% of VTI's is in holdings EXI also owns. They hold 84 positions in common, counted across the 219 positions we hold weights for in EXI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EXI or VTI?
EXI yields 1.07% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EXI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. EXI is less concentrated, with 23.2% 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.