ISCV vs VTI
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ISCV or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ISCV led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISCV is less concentrated, with 4.9% 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 | ISCV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $689M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.82% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,057 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.34% | +14.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.01%Best | +16.88% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.84% | +22.75%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.26% | +12.68%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.8% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,571 | $18,165Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.9%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 6, 2004 to Sep 21, 2026 (22.2 years).
ISCV 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.
ISCV vs VTI Performance
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (ISCV) 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 ISCV returned +18.01% while VTI returned +16.88%. Year to date, ISCV is up 13.34% versus a gain of 14.00% for VTI.
Over three years, ISCV compounded at +16.84% per year against +22.75% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.26% and +12.68% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.57% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% 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 -64.8% for ISCV 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCV charges 0.06% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $3 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCV currently yields 1.82% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.9% of ISCV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 4.8% of VTI's money is in holdings ISCV also owns.
Most of ISCV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
945 positions in common, counted across the 988 positions we hold weights for in ISCV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,057 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 758 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ISCV (92.8% of the fund), and 23 for ISCV that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 ISCV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.54% | 0.02% | 0.52% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.54% | 0.02% | 0.52% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| JAZZJazz Pharmaceuticals Plc. | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.48% | 0.02% | 0.46% |
| ARMKAramark Holdings | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.46% | 0.02% | 0.44% |
| SWKStanley Black Decker Inc. | 0.46% | 0.02% | 0.44% |
93.9% of ISCV 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, ISCV or VTI?
ISCV has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISCV or VTI?
Over the past year ISCV returned +18.01% vs +16.88% for VTI, so ISCV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), ISCV annualized +6.84% vs +9.57% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCV or VTI?
ISCV has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ISCV -64.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ISCV and VTI?
ISCV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 ISCV and VTI?
93.9% of ISCV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 4.8% of VTI's is in holdings ISCV also owns. They hold 945 positions in common, counted across the 988 positions we hold weights for in ISCV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCV or VTI?
ISCV yields 1.82% while VTI yields 1.03%, so ISCV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ISCV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ISCV led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISCV is less concentrated, with 4.9% 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.