ISCB vs VTI
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ISCB or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | ISCB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $282M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,587 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.61% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.35% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.25% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.07% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,071 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Sep 18, 2026 (22.2 years).
ISCB 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.
ISCB vs VTI Performance
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) 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 ISCB returned +14.35% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, ISCB is up 11.61% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, ISCB compounded at +16.25% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.07% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.46% annualized vs +7.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% 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 -61.9% for ISCB 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB 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, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ISCB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISCB, our book for it covers 93.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and ISCB share little of their money.
1,275 positions in common, counted across the 1,340 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,587 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEAMAtlassian Corp-Cl A | 0.48% | 0.02% | 0.46% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 0.46% | 0.03% | 0.43% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| ROKURoku, Inc | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| NTNXNutanix Inc - A | 0.29% | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| GWREGuidewire Software Inc | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| TRUTransunion - Common | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ISCB or VTI?
ISCB 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, ISCB or VTI?
Over the past year ISCB returned +14.35% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), ISCB annualized +7.75% vs +9.46% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCB or VTI?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ISCB -61.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ISCB and VTI?
ISCB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 ISCB and VTI?
At least 7.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ISCB also owns. Our book for ISCB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,275 positions in common, counted across the 1,340 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCB or VTI?
ISCB yields 1.27% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ISCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ISCB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.