JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) is a ETF from J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JAVA returned +30.11% while VTI returned +24.16%. Year to date, JAVA is up 15.64% versus a gain of 14.20% for VTI.

Over three years, JAVA compounded at +17.30% per year against +21.12% for VTI. Across the full 5-year window we track, JAVA has the edge at +12.79% annualized vs +8.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.5% for JAVA. 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 -16.5% for JAVA and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

JAVA charges 0.44% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $44 vs $3 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JAVA currently yields 1.32% against 1.07% for VTI.