EZA vs VTI
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EZA or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EZA led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.4%.
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 | EZA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $571M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.15% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 34 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.96% | +13.10%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.62% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.56%Best | +22.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,861Best | $17,608 |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 3, 2003 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 7, 2003 to Sep 24, 2026 (23.6 years).
EZA 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 23.6 years both funds cover.
EZA vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) 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 EZA returned +14.62% while VTI returned +17.01%. Year to date, EZA is down 2.96% versus a gain of 13.10% for VTI.
Over three years, EZA compounded at +26.56% per year against +22.26% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.30% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 24-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.45% annualized vs +6.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EZA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.9% compared with 15.0% 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 -68.2% for EZA 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EZA charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EZA currently yields 7.15% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
6.1% of EZA's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
EZA and VTI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 28 positions we hold weights for in EZA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 34 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,150 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EZA (97.5% of the fund), and 1 for EZA 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 EZA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LABStandard BioTools Inc | 6.12% | 0.00% | 6.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EZA and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EZA or VTI?
EZA has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EZA or VTI?
Over the past year EZA returned +14.62% vs +17.01% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (24 years), EZA annualized +6.35% vs +10.45% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EZA or VTI?
EZA has been the more volatile fund at 25.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EZA -68.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both EZA and VTI?
EZA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 EZA and VTI?
6.1% of EZA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings EZA also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 28 positions we hold weights for in EZA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EZA or VTI?
EZA yields 7.15% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EZA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EZA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EZA led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.