JSMD vs VTI
Janus Henderson Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, JSMD or VTI?
Small Cap Growth 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 0.91. JSMD is less concentrated, with 17.0% 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 | JSMD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 123 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.27% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.16% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.61% | +20.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.39% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,630 | $17,303Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Janus Henderson Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 25, 2016 to Sep 15, 2026 (10.6 years).
JSMD 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
JSMD vs VTI Performance
Janus Henderson Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSMD) is an ETF from Janus Henderson Investors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JSMD returned +6.16% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, JSMD is up 9.27% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, JSMD compounded at +15.61% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.39% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.19% annualized vs +13.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JSMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.5% 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 -39.0% for JSMD and -35.0% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JSMD charges 0.30% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $3 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JSMD currently yields 0.44% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.2% of JSMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.0% of VTI's money is in holdings JSMD also owns.
Most of JSMD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
115 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in JSMD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 123 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,077 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for JSMD (96.5% of the fund), and 4 for JSMD that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
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 JSMD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENGen Digital Inc | 1.96% | 0.02% | 1.94% |
| EXELExelixis Inc | 1.94% | 0.02% | 1.92% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 1.90% | 0.01% | 1.89% |
| CVLTCommvaultsystems Inc. | 1.77% | 0.01% | 1.76% |
| MEDPMedpace Holdings Inc | 1.68% | 0.02% | 1.66% |
| STEPStepstone Group Lp | 1.69% | 0.00% | 1.69% |
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 1.59% | 0.01% | 1.58% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 1.58% | 0.01% | 1.57% |
| LSTRLandstar System Inc | 1.47% | 0.01% | 1.46% |
| QLYSQualys Inc | 1.45% | 0.01% | 1.44% |
96.2% of JSMD 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, JSMD or VTI?
JSMD has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JSMD or VTI?
Over the past year JSMD returned +6.16% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), JSMD annualized +13.07% vs +14.19% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JSMD or VTI?
JSMD has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: JSMD -39.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both JSMD and VTI?
JSMD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 JSMD and VTI?
96.2% of JSMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.0% of VTI's is in holdings JSMD also owns. They hold 115 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in JSMD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, JSMD or VTI?
JSMD yields 0.44% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than JSMD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. JSMD is less concentrated, with 17.0% 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.