IWR vs VTI
iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IWR or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IWR led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | IWR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $56.2B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 831 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.57%Best | +12.34% |
| 1Y Return | +15.82% | +18.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.61% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.69% | +11.68%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,484 | $17,373Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 17, 2001 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 20, 2001 to Sep 9, 2026 (25.1 years).
IWR 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 25.1 years both funds cover.
IWR vs VTI Performance
iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (IWR) 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 IWR returned +15.82% while VTI returned +18.37%. Year to date, IWR is up 13.57% versus a gain of 12.34% for VTI.
Over three years, IWR compounded at +16.61% per year against +20.62% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.69% and +11.68% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, IWR has the edge at +8.63% annualized vs +8.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 15.4% 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 -59.7% for IWR 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
IWR charges 0.18% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $3 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWR currently yields 1.13% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 85.1% of IWR's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of IWR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
623 positions in common, counted across the 798 positions we hold weights for in IWR and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 831 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IWR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 0.65% | 0.11% | 0.54% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc (United States) | 0.63% | 0.12% | 0.51% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 0.60% | 0.12% | 0.48% |
| NETCloudflare Inc (180 Day Lockup) | 0.56% | 0.11% | 0.45% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.57% | 0.10% | 0.47% |
| RCLRoyal Caribbean Cruises | 0.52% | 0.11% | 0.41% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 0.52% | 0.09% | 0.43% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.51% | 0.09% | 0.42% |
| URIUnited Rentals Inc. | 0.49% | 0.10% | 0.39% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 0.48% | 0.10% | 0.38% |
85.1% of IWR 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, IWR or VTI?
IWR has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWR or VTI?
Over the past year IWR returned +15.82% vs +18.37% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IWR annualized +8.63% vs +8.23% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWR or VTI?
IWR has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IWR -59.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IWR and VTI?
IWR 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 IWR and VTI?
At least 85.1% of IWR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 623 positions in common, counted across the 798 positions we hold weights for in IWR and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWR or VTI?
IWR yields 1.13% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IWR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IWR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IWR led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.