HDG vs VTI

HDG vs VTI

Which is better, HDG or VTI?

Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

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

MetricHDGVTI
Expense Ratio0.95%0.03%Best
AUM$22M$666.9B
Dividend Yield2.36%1.03%
Holdings1,9883,543
YTD Return+6.19%+11.06%Best
1Y Return+8.78%+15.41%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+6.92%+20.48%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+3.09%+11.52%Best
Volatility (annualized)5.7%Best14.8%
Max Drawdown-15.3%Best-35.0%
$10,000 over 5 years$11,643$17,249Best
Fund FamilyProSharesVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleMulti AlternativeLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJul 12, 2011May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2011 to Sep 16, 2026 (15.2 years).

HDG 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.

HDG vs VTI Performance

ProShares Hedge Replication ETF (HDG) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HDG returned +8.78% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, HDG is up 6.19% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.

Over three years, HDG compounded at +6.92% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.09% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.42% annualized vs +2.70%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 5.7% for HDG. 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 -15.3% for HDG and -35.0% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

HDG charges 0.95% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDG currently yields 2.36% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

VTI already in HDG2.6%

At least 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings HDG also owns.

Stated as a floor: for HDG, our book for it covers 10.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

VTI and HDG share little of their money.

1,757 positions in common, counted across the 1,919 positions we hold weights for in HDG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,988 and 3,543.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in HDGWeight in VTIDifference
NEMNewmont Corp Common0.00%0.14%0.14%
MOG.AMoog Inccommon Stock0.04%0.02%0.02%
GKOSGlaukos Corp.0.04%0.01%0.03%
FROGJfrog Ltd0.04%0.01%0.03%
KRYSKrystal Biotech Inc0.04%0.01%0.03%
V71Hut 8 Corp0.03%0.02%0.01%
EATBrinker International, Inc.0.04%0.01%0.03%
BTSGBrightspring Health0.04%0.01%0.03%
CYTKCytokinetics Inc0.04%0.01%0.03%
UMBFUmb Financial Corp.0.04%0.01%0.03%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of HDG and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

HDGVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, HDG or VTI?

HDG has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, HDG or VTI?

Over the past year HDG returned +8.78% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), HDG annualized +2.70% vs +12.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, HDG or VTI?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 5.7% for HDG. Worst drawdown: HDG -15.3% vs VTI -35.0%.

Should I hold both HDG and VTI?

HDG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 HDG and VTI?

At least 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings HDG also owns. Our book for HDG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,757 positions in common, counted across the 1,919 positions we hold weights for in HDG and 3,463 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, HDG or VTI?

HDG yields 2.36% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than HDG?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.