LTL vs VTI
ProShares Ultra Communication Services vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LTL or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y 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 | LTL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 28 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -11.54% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.73% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.98%Best | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.49%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.1% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.7% | -52.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,546Best | $17,514 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 8, 2008 to Sep 11, 2026 (18.4 years).
LTL 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 18.4 years both funds cover.
LTL vs VTI Performance
ProShares Ultra Communication Services (LTL) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LTL returned -11.73% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, LTL is down 11.54% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, LTL compounded at +30.98% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +15.49% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.20% annualized vs +5.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.1% compared with 16.2% 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 -80.7% for LTL and -52.6% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LTL charges 0.95% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LTL currently yields 1.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in LTL and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 60.7% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 22 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, LTL as of Aug 31, 2026 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.
22 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in LTL and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 28 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LTL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 10.22% | 0.00% | 10.22% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 6.27% | 2.88% | 3.39% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 5.00% | 2.27% | 2.73% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.96% | 0.41% | 2.55% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 3.06% | 0.22% | 2.84% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 2.94% | 0.23% | 2.71% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp. Class A | 2.96% | 0.12% | 2.84% |
| WBDWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc | 2.83% | 0.09% | 2.74% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 2.79% | 0.10% | 2.69% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 2.76% | 0.03% | 2.73% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LTL 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, LTL or VTI?
LTL has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LTL or VTI?
Over the past year LTL returned -11.73% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), LTL annualized +5.83% vs +10.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LTL or VTI?
LTL has been the more volatile fund at 34.1% annualized versus 16.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: LTL -80.7% vs VTI -52.6%.
Should I hold both LTL and VTI?
LTL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, LTL or VTI?
LTL yields 1.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LTL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.