HUSV vs VTI
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HUSV or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HUSV is less concentrated, with 22.5% 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 | HUSV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.28% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 204 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.02% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.56% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.96% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.24% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,909 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 24, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2016 to Sep 25, 2026 (10.1 years).
HUSV 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 10.1 years both funds cover.
HUSV vs VTI Performance
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF (HUSV) 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 HUSV returned +0.56% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, HUSV is up 2.02% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, HUSV compounded at +8.96% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.24% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.76% annualized vs +7.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.3% 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 -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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
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 1.28% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.4% of HUSV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 28.5% of VTI's money is in holdings HUSV also owns.
Most of HUSV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
97 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in HUSV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 204 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,053 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for HUSV (68.9% of the fund), and 1 for HUSV that do not appear in VTI (1.6%).
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 HUSV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.06% | 6.29% | 4.23% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.74% | 6.40% | 4.66% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 2.45% | 1.28% | 1.17% |
| REGRegency Centers Corp. | 2.48% | 0.02% | 2.46% |
| FRTFederal Realty Investment Trust | 2.41% | 0.01% | 2.40% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 2.33% | 0.08% | 2.25% |
| MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc | 2.30% | 0.10% | 2.20% |
| LLoews Corp | 2.33% | 0.03% | 2.30% |
| AFLAflac Inc. | 2.28% | 0.08% | 2.20% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.60% | 0.57% | 1.03% |
96.4% of HUSV 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, HUSV or VTI?
HUSV has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HUSV or VTI?
Over the past year HUSV returned +0.56% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), HUSV annualized +7.73% vs +13.76% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HUSV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.3% for HUSV. Worst drawdown: HUSV -35.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both HUSV and VTI?
HUSV 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 HUSV and VTI?
96.4% of HUSV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 28.5% of VTI's is in holdings HUSV also owns. They hold 97 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in HUSV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HUSV or VTI?
HUSV yields 1.28% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HUSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HUSV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HUSV is less concentrated, with 22.5% 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.