IDU vs VTI
iShares US Utilities ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IDU or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
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 52.2%.
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 | IDU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 49 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -6.05% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.70% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.52% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.47% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.7%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,336 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 12, 2000 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 25, 2026 (25.3 years).
IDU 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.
IDU vs VTI Performance
iShares US Utilities ETF (IDU) 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 IDU returned -4.70% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, IDU is down 6.05% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, IDU compounded at +12.52% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.47% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.07% annualized vs +4.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.7% for IDU. 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 -53.7% for IDU 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IDU charges 0.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDU currently yields 2.34% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.4% of IDU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's money is in holdings IDU also owns.
Most of IDU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
42 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in IDU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 49 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,108 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IDU (95.2% of the fund), and 2 for IDU that do not appear in VTI (0.4%).
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 IDU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 11.10% | 0.25% | 10.85% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 6.41% | 0.15% | 6.26% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 6.03% | 0.14% | 5.89% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 5.69% | 0.12% | 5.57% |
| WMWaste Mgmt | 5.26% | 0.13% | 5.13% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 4.31% | 0.10% | 4.21% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 3.75% | 0.08% | 3.67% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 3.45% | 0.08% | 3.37% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 3.14% | 0.07% | 3.07% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 3.05% | 0.07% | 2.98% |
98.4% of IDU 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, IDU or VTI?
IDU has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDU or VTI?
Over the past year IDU returned -4.70% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IDU annualized +4.09% vs +8.07% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDU or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.7% for IDU. Worst drawdown: IDU -53.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IDU and VTI?
IDU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 IDU and VTI?
98.4% of IDU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's is in holdings IDU also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in IDU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDU or VTI?
IDU yields 2.34% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IDU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IDU?
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 52.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.