LST vs VTI
Leuthold Select Industries ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LST or VTI?
LST has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LST led over 1Y and the full window. LST is less concentrated, with 17.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | LST | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $178M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 122 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.26%Best | +13.60% |
| 1Y Return | +21.98%Best | +18.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +23.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.5% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $13,721Best | $12,976 |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.7%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Leuthold Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2000 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 21, 2025 to Sep 25, 2026 (1.7 years).
LST 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
LST vs VTI Performance
Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) is an ETF from Leuthold Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LST returned +21.98% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, LST is up 17.26% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 12.9% 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 -19.5% for LST and -19.3% 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
LST charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LST currently yields 1.12% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
85.7% of LST's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 30.2% of VTI's money is in holdings LST also owns.
Most of LST is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
99 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in LST and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 122 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,065 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LST (67.3% of the fund), and 6 for LST that do not appear in VTI (3.8%).
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 LST | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.07% | 6.40% | 5.33% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.96% | 4.79% | 2.83% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.03% | 2.90% | 0.87% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.97% | 2.56% | 1.59% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.49% | 1.70% | 0.21% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.44% | 1.31% | 0.13% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc | 1.61% | 1.08% | 0.53% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 2.27% | 0.16% | 2.11% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.67% | 0.57% | 1.10% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 1.95% | 0.07% | 1.88% |
85.7% of LST 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, LST or VTI?
LST has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LST or VTI?
Over the past year LST returned +21.98% vs +18.17% for VTI, so LST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LST annualized +20.45% vs +16.56% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LST or VTI?
LST has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 12.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: LST -19.5% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both LST and VTI?
LST 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 LST and VTI?
85.7% of LST's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 30.2% of VTI's is in holdings LST also owns. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in LST and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LST or VTI?
LST yields 1.12% while VTI yields 1.03%, so LST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LST?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LST led over 1Y and the full window. LST is less concentrated, with 17.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.