MARO vs VTI
YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MARO or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led 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 | MARO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.00% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 213.90% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 12 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.80% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -42.71% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 52.1% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.8% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $4,605 | $12,862Best |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
MARO 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MARO vs VTI Performance
YieldMax MARA Option Income Strategy ETF (MARO) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MARO returned -42.71% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MARO is up 4.80% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MARO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 52.1% compared with 12.8% 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 -71.8% for MARO 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MARO charges 1.00% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $100 vs $3 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MARO currently yields 213.90% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MARO 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, MARO or VTI?
MARO has an expense ratio of 1.00% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MARO or VTI?
Over the past year MARO returned -42.71% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MARO annualized -35.00% vs +15.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MARO or VTI?
MARO has been the more volatile fund at 52.1% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MARO -71.8% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MARO and VTI?
MARO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, MARO or VTI?
MARO yields 213.90% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MARO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MARO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.