MEM vs VTI
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MEM or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MEM led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.8%.
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 | MEM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $55M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.89% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 72 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +18.10%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +24.74%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.58%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $19,799 | $21,103Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.2 years).
MEM 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 4.2 years both funds cover.
MEM vs VTI Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MEM returned +24.74% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MEM is up 18.10% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, MEM compounded at +21.58% per year against +21.01% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +19.46% annualized vs +17.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 14.6% 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 -19.1% for MEM 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MEM charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MEM currently yields 2.89% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of MEM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings MEM also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 65 positions we hold weights for in MEM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 72 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,149 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MEM (97.3% of the fund), and 5 for MEM that do not appear in VTI (12.9%).
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 MEM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 0.13% | 0.12% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MEM 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, MEM or VTI?
MEM has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MEM or VTI?
Over the past year MEM returned +24.74% vs +16.08% for VTI, so MEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MEM annualized +17.66% vs +19.46% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MEM or VTI?
MEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MEM -19.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MEM and VTI?
MEM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, MEM or VTI?
MEM yields 2.89% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MEM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MEM led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.