JNK vs VTI
State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, JNK or VTI?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | JNK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.61% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,211 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.69% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.33% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.85% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.22% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.8%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.2%Best | -55.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,717 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 4, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (18.8 years).
JNK 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
JNK vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JNK returned +3.33% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, JNK is up 1.69% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, JNK compounded at +7.85% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.22% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.61% annualized vs -0.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 10.8% for JNK. 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 -46.2% for JNK and -55.3% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JNK charges 0.40% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $3 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JNK currently yields 6.61% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in JNK and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 0.9% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in JNK and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,211 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in JNK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DBDDiebold Nixdorf Inc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JNK 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, JNK or VTI?
JNK has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JNK or VTI?
Over the past year JNK returned +3.33% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), JNK annualized -0.45% vs +9.61% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JNK or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 10.8% for JNK. Worst drawdown: JNK -46.2% vs VTI -55.3%.
Should I hold both JNK and VTI?
JNK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, JNK or VTI?
JNK yields 6.61% while VTI yields 1.03%, so JNK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than JNK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.