First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF (HUSV) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HUSV returned +5.89% while VTI returned +24.16%. Year to date, HUSV is up 8.58% versus a gain of 14.20% for VTI.

Over three years, HUSV compounded at +9.95% per year against +21.12% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.22% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, HUSV has the edge at +8.52% annualized vs +8.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.2% for HUSV. 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 -35.7% for HUSV and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

HUSV charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HUSV currently yields 1.37% against 1.07% for VTI.