IMCB vs VTI
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IMCB or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IMCB led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. IMCB is less concentrated, with 7.4% 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 | IMCB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.19% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 399 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +15.31%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +17.77%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.46% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.50% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,037 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.4%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Sep 16, 2026 (22.2 years).
IMCB 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 22.2 years both funds cover.
IMCB vs VTI Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) 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 IMCB returned +17.77% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, IMCB is up 15.31% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, IMCB compounded at +17.46% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.50% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.41% annualized vs +9.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 15.2% 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 -59.6% for IMCB 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCB charges 0.04% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $3 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMCB currently yields 1.19% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.6% of IMCB's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 19.4% of VTI's money is in holdings IMCB also owns.
Most of IMCB is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
375 positions in common, counted across the 388 positions we hold weights for in IMCB and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 399 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 786 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IMCB (78.3% of the fund), and 9 for IMCB that do not appear in VTI (1.9%).
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 IMCB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 0.89% | 0.16% | 0.73% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.78% | 0.15% | 0.63% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 0.76% | 0.13% | 0.63% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 0.73% | 0.15% | 0.58% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.74% | 0.13% | 0.61% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 0.74% | 0.12% | 0.62% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 0.72% | 0.14% | 0.58% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.72% | 0.13% | 0.59% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.68% | 0.12% | 0.56% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 0.66% | 0.14% | 0.52% |
96.6% of IMCB 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, IMCB or VTI?
IMCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMCB or VTI?
Over the past year IMCB returned +17.77% vs +15.41% for VTI, so IMCB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), IMCB annualized +9.13% vs +9.41% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCB or VTI?
IMCB has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IMCB -59.6% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IMCB and VTI?
IMCB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IMCB and VTI?
96.6% of IMCB's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 19.4% of VTI's is in holdings IMCB also owns. They hold 375 positions in common, counted across the 388 positions we hold weights for in IMCB and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCB or VTI?
IMCB yields 1.19% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IMCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IMCB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IMCB led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. IMCB is less concentrated, with 7.4% 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.