HERZ vs VTI
Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund Inc vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HERZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | HERZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | - | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | - | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 29 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -22.60% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.85% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +0.85% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.38% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.4% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -84.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,420 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Herzfeld-Cuba | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 20, 1994 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 11, 2026 (25.3 years).
HERZ 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
HERZ vs VTI Performance
Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund Inc (HERZ) is an ETF from Herzfeld-Cuba and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HERZ returned -5.85% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, HERZ is down 22.60% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, HERZ compounded at +0.85% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -3.38% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.05% annualized vs +1.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HERZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.4% compared with 15.3% 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 -84.7% for HERZ 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HERZ charges 3.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $345 vs $3 annually, a gap of $342 per year that compounds over a long holding period.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 19 holdings in HERZ and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 89.4% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, HERZ as of Dec 31, 2025 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in HERZ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 29 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HERZ 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, HERZ or VTI?
HERZ has an expense ratio of 3.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $342 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HERZ or VTI?
Over the past year HERZ returned -5.85% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), HERZ annualized +1.02% vs +8.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HERZ or VTI?
HERZ has been the more volatile fund at 31.4% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: HERZ -84.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both HERZ and VTI?
HERZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Is VTI better than HERZ?
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.