JSML vs VTI
Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, JSML or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. JSML led over 1Y, VTI over 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 | JSML | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $322M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.16% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 122 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +21.60%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +23.67%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.65% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.88% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,307 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Janus Henderson Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 25, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.5 years).
JSML 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 10.5 years both funds cover.
JSML vs VTI Performance
Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) 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 JSML returned +23.67% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, JSML is up 21.60% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, JSML compounded at +19.65% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.88% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.43% annualized vs +13.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JSML has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% 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 -39.6% for JSML 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JSML 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, JSML currently yields 1.16% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 80.4% of JSML'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 JSML is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
94 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in JSML and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 122 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in JSML | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGNATrinet Group Inc | 2.36% | 0.00% | 2.36% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 2.10% | 0.01% | 2.09% |
| WHDCactus Inc. | 1.99% | 0.00% | 1.99% |
| BTSGBrightspring Health Services Common Stock Usd100.0 | 1.61% | 0.02% | 1.59% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 1.60% | 0.00% | 1.60% |
| STEPStepstone Group Lp | 1.51% | 0.00% | 1.51% |
| TENBTenable Holdings Inc | 1.51% | 0.00% | 1.51% |
| CTSCts Corp | 1.44% | 0.00% | 1.44% |
| EATBrinker International, Inc. | 1.43% | 0.00% | 1.43% |
| KTBKontoor Brands Inc | 1.43% | 0.00% | 1.43% |
80.4% of JSML 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, JSML or VTI?
JSML 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, JSML or VTI?
Over the past year JSML returned +23.67% vs +20.00% for VTI, so JSML leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), JSML annualized +13.28% vs +14.43% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JSML or VTI?
JSML has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: JSML -39.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both JSML and VTI?
JSML and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 JSML and VTI?
At least 80.4% of JSML's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 94 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in JSML and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, JSML or VTI?
JSML yields 1.16% while VTI yields 1.07%, so JSML currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than JSML?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. JSML led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.