IAK vs VTI
iShares US Insurance ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IAK or VTI?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.8%.
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 | IAK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $511M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.48% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 61 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.20% | +13.10%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.93% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.92% | +22.26%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.86%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,136Best | $17,608 |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 5, 2006 to Sep 24, 2026 (20.4 years).
IAK 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
IAK vs VTI Performance
iShares US Insurance ETF (IAK) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IAK returned +6.93% while VTI returned +17.01%. Year to date, IAK is up 4.20% versus a gain of 13.10% for VTI.
Over three years, IAK compounded at +15.92% per year against +22.26% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.86% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.33% annualized vs +5.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 15.7% 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 -78.0% for IAK 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAK charges 0.37% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAK currently yields 2.48% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.7% of IAK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.3% of VTI's money is in holdings IAK also owns.
Most of IAK is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
56 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in IAK and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 61 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 58 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,117 positions IAK does not, 96.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IAK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGRProgressive Corporation | 13.46% | 0.17% | 13.29% |
| CBChubb Ltd Common Stock Usd 24.15 | 12.77% | 0.17% | 12.60% |
| TRVThe Travelers Cos, Inc. | 8.08% | 0.11% | 7.97% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 6.93% | 0.09% | 6.84% |
| METMetlife Inc. | 4.61% | 0.07% | 4.54% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc | 4.43% | 0.06% | 4.37% |
| AFLAflac Inc. | 4.39% | 0.08% | 4.31% |
| AIGAmerican International Gr | 4.26% | 0.06% | 4.20% |
| HIGHartford Financial Services Group Inc. | 4.09% | 0.05% | 4.04% |
| ACGLArch Capital Group Ltd 5.450% | 3.74% | 0.05% | 3.69% |
98.7% of IAK 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, IAK or VTI?
IAK has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAK or VTI?
Over the past year IAK returned +6.93% vs +17.01% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IAK annualized +5.64% vs +9.33% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAK or VTI?
IAK has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IAK -78.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IAK and VTI?
IAK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 IAK and VTI?
98.7% of IAK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.3% of VTI's is in holdings IAK also owns. They hold 56 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in IAK and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IAK or VTI?
IAK yields 2.48% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IAK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IAK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.