HSMV vs VTI
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HSMV or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HSMV is less concentrated, with 16.5% 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 | HSMV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.90% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 302 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +3.09% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.85% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.13% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.02% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.2%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,178 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 6, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2020 to Oct 2, 2026 (6.5 years).
HSMV 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
HSMV vs VTI Performance
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HSMV returned +2.85% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, HSMV is up 3.09% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, HSMV compounded at +10.13% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.02% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +19.03% annualized vs +10.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 14.7% for HSMV. 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 -19.2% for HSMV and -25.4% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HSMV charges 0.80% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $3 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HSMV currently yields 1.90% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.6% of HSMV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's money is in holdings HSMV also owns.
Most of HSMV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, HSMV as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
148 positions in common, counted across the 150 positions we hold weights for in HSMV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 302 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,055 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for HSMV (96.3% of the fund), and 1 for HSMV that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
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 HSMV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| INGRIngredion Inc | 2.32% | 0.01% | 2.31% |
| DLBDOLBY LABORATORIES INC-CL A | 2.11% | 0.00% | 2.11% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 1.71% | 0.01% | 1.70% |
| PECOPhillips Edison & Company Inc. | 1.62% | 0.01% | 1.61% |
| STWDStarwood Property Trust Inc Com Reit | 1.57% | 0.01% | 1.56% |
| EFCEllington Financial Inc | 1.56% | 0.00% | 1.56% |
| BCPCBalchem Corp | 1.51% | 0.01% | 1.50% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 1.46% | 0.02% | 1.44% |
| GGGGraco, Inc. | 1.38% | 0.02% | 1.36% |
| OGEOge Energy Corp. | 1.29% | 0.01% | 1.28% |
98.6% of HSMV 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, HSMV or VTI?
HSMV has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HSMV or VTI?
Over the past year HSMV returned +2.85% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), HSMV annualized +10.09% vs +19.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HSMV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 14.7% for HSMV. Worst drawdown: HSMV -19.2% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both HSMV and VTI?
HSMV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 HSMV and VTI?
98.6% of HSMV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's is in holdings HSMV also owns. They hold 148 positions in common, counted across the 150 positions we hold weights for in HSMV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HSMV or VTI?
HSMV yields 1.90% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HSMV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HSMV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HSMV is less concentrated, with 16.5% 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.