MFUS vs VTI
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MFUS or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MFUS led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. MFUS is less concentrated, with 16.0% 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 | MFUS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $297M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 884 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +15.58%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +18.68%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.38% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.26%Best | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,637Best | $17,908 |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 31, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 6, 2017 to Sep 18, 2026 (9 years).
MFUS 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 9 years both funds cover.
MFUS vs VTI Performance
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF (MFUS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFUS returned +18.68% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MFUS is up 15.58% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, MFUS compounded at +20.38% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.26% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.74% annualized vs +12.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.6% for MFUS. 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 -35.2% for MFUS and -35.0% 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFUS charges 0.29% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $3 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFUS currently yields 1.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.9% of MFUS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 68.6% of VTI's money is in holdings MFUS also owns.
Most of MFUS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
851 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 884 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 461 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MFUS (29.0% of the fund), and 13 for MFUS that do not appear in VTI (0.4%).
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 MFUS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.24% | 6.29% | 5.05% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.67% | 6.40% | 5.73% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.46% | 2.56% | 1.10% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.55% | 2.90% | 2.35% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.30% | 0.50% | 1.80% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.40% | 1.35% | 0.05% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 1.84% | 0.89% | 0.95% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.73% | 0.86% | 0.87% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.61% | 0.68% | 0.93% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.01% | 1.28% | 0.27% |
98.9% of MFUS 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, MFUS or VTI?
MFUS has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFUS or VTI?
Over the past year MFUS returned +18.68% vs +16.08% for VTI, so MFUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), MFUS annualized +12.38% vs +13.74% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFUS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.6% for MFUS. Worst drawdown: MFUS -35.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MFUS and VTI?
MFUS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MFUS and VTI?
98.9% of MFUS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 68.6% of VTI's is in holdings MFUS also owns. They hold 851 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MFUS or VTI?
MFUS yields 1.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MFUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MFUS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MFUS led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. MFUS is less concentrated, with 16.0% 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.