IQSM vs VTI
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IQSM or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. IQSM is less concentrated, with 9.6% 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 | IQSM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $342M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 248 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.75% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.72% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.03% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $15,732 | $20,667Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2022 to Sep 25, 2026 (3.9 years).
IQSM 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
IQSM vs VTI Performance
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IQSM returned +16.72% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, IQSM is up 11.75% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, IQSM compounded at +15.03% per year against +23.04% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +20.46% annualized vs +12.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IQSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 13.3% 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 -23.7% for IQSM and -19.3% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQSM charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQSM currently yields 1.03% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.7% of IQSM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.5% of VTI's money is in holdings IQSM also owns.
Most of IQSM is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
235 positions in common, counted across the 246 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 248 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 927 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IQSM (94.0% of the fund), and 4 for IQSM that do not appear in VTI (0.5%).
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 IQSM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RVMDRevolution Medicines Inc | 1.51% | 0.05% | 1.46% |
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 1.18% | 0.04% | 1.14% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.99% | 0.03% | 0.96% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.97% | 0.03% | 0.94% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 0.91% | 0.03% | 0.88% |
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.85% | 0.03% | 0.82% |
| BURLBurlington Stores Inc | 0.84% | 0.03% | 0.81% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.81% | 0.03% | 0.78% |
| MRNAModerna therapeutics | 0.81% | 0.03% | 0.78% |
| MKSIMks Instruments Inc | 0.76% | 0.03% | 0.73% |
98.7% of IQSM 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, IQSM or VTI?
IQSM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQSM or VTI?
Over the past year IQSM returned +16.72% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IQSM annualized +12.32% vs +20.46% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQSM or VTI?
IQSM has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 13.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IQSM -23.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both IQSM and VTI?
IQSM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 IQSM and VTI?
98.7% of IQSM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.5% of VTI's is in holdings IQSM also owns. They hold 235 positions in common, counted across the 246 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQSM or VTI?
IQSM yields 1.03% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IQSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IQSM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. IQSM is less concentrated, with 9.6% 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.