LEAD vs VTI
Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LEAD or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%.
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 | LEAD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 54 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 10.5 years | $38,396 | $39,328Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 65 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LEAD has data through Jul 14, 2026 and VTI through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 6, 2016 to Jul 14, 2026 (10.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LEAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.6% 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 -32.2% for LEAD 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LEAD charges 0.43% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $3 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LEAD currently yields 0.55% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.0% of LEAD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 28.7% of VTI's money is in holdings LEAD also owns.
Most of LEAD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, LEAD as of Apr 30, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
49 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 54 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,101 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LEAD (68.8% of the fund), and 3 for LEAD that do not appear in VTI (9.5%).
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 LEAD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.34% | 6.40% | 1.06% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.55% | 2.56% | 3.99% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.75% | 6.29% | 4.54% |
| PWRQuanta Services, Inc. | 6.19% | 0.14% | 6.05% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.37% | 4.79% | 3.42% |
| KLACKla Corp | 5.34% | 0.33% | 5.01% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 4.11% | 0.59% | 3.52% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.61% | 1.35% | 0.26% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 2.37% | 0.56% | 1.81% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 2.19% | 0.25% | 1.94% |
89.0% of LEAD 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, LEAD or VTI?
LEAD has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LEAD or VTI?
LEAD has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: LEAD -32.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both LEAD and VTI?
LEAD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 LEAD and VTI?
89.0% of LEAD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 28.7% of VTI's is in holdings LEAD also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LEAD or VTI?
LEAD yields 0.55% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LEAD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.