HBTA vs VTI
Horizon Expedition Plus ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HBTA or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | HBTA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $243M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 208 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8% | -20.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,020 | $10,754Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 5078 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HBTA has data through Oct 16, 2012 and VTI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 27, 2011 to Oct 16, 2012 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HBTA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 16.3% 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 -23.8% for HBTA and -20.6% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HBTA charges 0.86% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $3 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HBTA currently yields 0.58% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 98.4% of HBTA's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of HBTA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, HBTA as of Aug 18, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
191 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 208 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HBTA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 9.12% | 2.88% | 6.24% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 6.41% | 3.17% | 3.24% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.00% | 3.81% | 0.19% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.92% | 1.79% | 3.13% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.40% | 1.40% | 2.00% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 3.42% | 1.30% | 2.12% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.66% | 1.63% | 1.03% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 2.16% | 0.77% | 1.39% |
| LRCXLam Research Corpcommon Stock | 2.02% | 0.74% | 1.28% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.97% | 0.79% | 1.18% |
98.4% of HBTA 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, HBTA or VTI?
HBTA has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HBTA or VTI?
HBTA has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 16.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: HBTA -23.8% vs VTI -20.6%.
Should I hold both HBTA and VTI?
HBTA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 HBTA and VTI?
At least 98.4% of HBTA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 191 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HBTA or VTI?
HBTA yields 0.58% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HBTA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.