LEMB vs VTI
iShares JP Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LEMB or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | LEMB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $720M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 469 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.67% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.93% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.59% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.36% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.1%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,699 | $17,537Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 14, 2026 (14.9 years).
LEMB 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.
LEMB vs VTI Performance
iShares JP Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LEMB returned +5.93% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, LEMB is up 2.67% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, LEMB compounded at +7.59% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.36% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.40% annualized vs +0.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 10.0% for LEMB. 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 -31.1% for LEMB 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LEMB 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, LEMB currently yields 2.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in LEMB and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 2.4% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in LEMB and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 469 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LEMB 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, LEMB or VTI?
LEMB 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, LEMB or VTI?
Over the past year LEMB returned +5.93% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), LEMB annualized +0.50% vs +13.40% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LEMB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 10.0% for LEMB. Worst drawdown: LEMB -31.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both LEMB and VTI?
LEMB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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, LEMB or VTI?
LEMB yields 2.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so LEMB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LEMB?
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.