MAXJ vs VTI
iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MAXJ or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | MAXJ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $163M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 6 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.70% | +14.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.28% | +16.88%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.75% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.2%Best | 12.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.3%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,787 | $14,511Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Sep 21, 2026 (2.2 years).
MAXJ 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
MAXJ vs VTI Performance
iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) 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 MAXJ returned +5.28% while VTI returned +16.88%. Year to date, MAXJ is up 4.70% versus a gain of 14.00% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 4.2% for MAXJ. 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 -6.3% for MAXJ 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MAXJ charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MAXJ currently yields 0.73% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in MAXJ and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 100.6% 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 MAXJ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 6 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MAXJ 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, MAXJ or VTI?
MAXJ has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MAXJ or VTI?
Over the past year MAXJ returned +5.28% vs +16.88% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MAXJ annualized +7.76% vs +18.44% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MAXJ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 4.2% for MAXJ. Worst drawdown: MAXJ -6.3% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MAXJ and VTI?
MAXJ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, MAXJ or VTI?
MAXJ yields 0.73% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MAXJ?
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.