LAYS vs VTI

LAYS vs VTI

Which is better, LAYS or VTI?

Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. LAYS led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: LAYS

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

MetricLAYSVTI
Expense Ratio1.29%0.03%Best
AUM$6M$666.9B
Dividend Yield15.43%1.03%
Holdings53,543
Volatility (annualized)115.8%12.3%Best
Max Drawdown-47.2%-14.0%Best
$10,000 over 1.1 years$38,035Best$12,516
Fund FamilyQuantify FundsVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleMulti AlternativeLarge Cap Blend
InceptionMar 5, 2025May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 141 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LAYS has data through Apr 23, 2026 and VTI through Sep 11, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 6, 2025 to Apr 23, 2026 (1.1 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

LAYS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 115.8% compared with 12.3% 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 -47.2% for LAYS and -14.0% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

LAYS charges 1.29% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $129 vs $3 annually, a gap of $126 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LAYS currently yields 15.43% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 2 holdings in LAYS and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 8.1% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, LAYS as of Dec 31, 2025 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in LAYS and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 5 and 3,543.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of LAYS and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

LAYSVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, LAYS or VTI?

LAYS has an expense ratio of 1.29% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $126 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, LAYS or VTI?

LAYS has been the more volatile fund at 115.8% annualized versus 12.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: LAYS -47.2% vs VTI -14.0%.

Should I hold both LAYS and VTI?

LAYS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, LAYS or VTI?

LAYS yields 15.43% while VTI yields 1.03%, so LAYS currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than LAYS?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. LAYS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.