ICF vs VTI
iShares Select US REIT ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ICF or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%.
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 | ICF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.40% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 34 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.44% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.66% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.36% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.42% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.8% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,730 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2001 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 17, 2026 (25.3 years).
ICF 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.
ICF vs VTI Performance
iShares Select US REIT ETF (ICF) 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 ICF returned +8.66% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, ICF is up 9.44% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, ICF compounded at +9.36% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.42% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.03% annualized vs +4.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% 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 -78.8% for ICF 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICF charges 0.32% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $3 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICF currently yields 2.40% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.8% of ICF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.6% of VTI's money is in holdings ICF also owns.
Most of ICF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in ICF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 34 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 31 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,120 positions ICF does not, 95.8% 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 ICF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 8.14% | 0.23% | 7.91% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 8.20% | 0.14% | 8.06% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 8.15% | 0.19% | 7.96% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 7.09% | 0.11% | 6.98% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 5.97% | 0.10% | 5.87% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 4.67% | 0.03% | 4.64% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 4.50% | 0.08% | 4.42% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.40% | 0.09% | 4.31% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 4.39% | 0.06% | 4.33% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 4.29% | 0.08% | 4.21% |
99.8% of ICF 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, ICF or VTI?
ICF has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICF or VTI?
Over the past year ICF returned +8.66% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), ICF annualized +4.71% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICF or VTI?
ICF has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ICF -78.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ICF and VTI?
ICF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 ICF and VTI?
99.8% of ICF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.6% of VTI's is in holdings ICF also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in ICF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ICF or VTI?
ICF yields 2.40% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ICF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ICF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.