LSAT vs VTI
LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LSAT or VTI?
Tactical Allocation against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.3%.
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 | LSAT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $67M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.57% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 32 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +13.74%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +9.39% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.91% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.94% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,986 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | LeaderShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Tactical Allocation | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 26, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2020 to Oct 1, 2026 (5.9 years).
LSAT 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 5.9 years both funds cover.
LSAT vs VTI Performance
LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF (LSAT) is an ETF from LeaderShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LSAT returned +9.39% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, LSAT is up 13.74% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, LSAT compounded at +11.91% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.94% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.49% annualized vs +12.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.4% for LSAT. 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 -20.5% for LSAT and -25.4% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LSAT charges 0.99% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $3 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LSAT currently yields 1.57% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.5% of LSAT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's money is in holdings LSAT also owns.
Most of LSAT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, LSAT as of Sep 15, 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.
27 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in LSAT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 32 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,128 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LSAT (96.9% of the fund), and 0 for LSAT that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 LSAT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMSm Energy Co | 4.64% | 0.01% | 4.63% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 4.42% | 0.01% | 4.41% |
| MORNMorningstar, Inc. | 4.01% | 0.01% | 4.00% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 3.96% | 0.03% | 3.93% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 3.86% | 0.02% | 3.84% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 3.76% | 0.01% | 3.75% |
| SAICScience Applications International Corp | 3.75% | 0.01% | 3.74% |
| GDDYGodaddy Inc. Class A | 3.68% | 0.02% | 3.66% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 3.57% | 0.01% | 3.56% |
| HOGHarley-Davidson | 3.55% | 0.00% | 3.55% |
89.5% of LSAT 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, LSAT or VTI?
LSAT has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LSAT or VTI?
Over the past year LSAT returned +9.39% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), LSAT annualized +12.17% vs +15.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LSAT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.4% for LSAT. Worst drawdown: LSAT -20.5% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both LSAT and VTI?
LSAT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 LSAT and VTI?
89.5% of LSAT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's is in holdings LSAT also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in LSAT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LSAT or VTI?
LSAT yields 1.57% while VTI yields 1.03%, so LSAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LSAT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.