MSII vs VTI

MSII vs VTI

Which is better, MSII or VTI?

Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns (full window): VTI

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

MetricMSIIVTI
Expense Ratio1.54%0.03%Best
AUM$3M$666.9B
Dividend Yield64.93%1.03%
Holdings113,543
Volatility (annualized)55.0%13.3%Best
Max Drawdown-78.7%-8.9%Best
$10,000 over 1 years$2,791$12,508Best
Fund FamilyREX SharesVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleOption WritingLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJun 4, 2025May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 100 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MSII has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VTI through Sep 17, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2025 to Jun 9, 2026 (1 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

MSII has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 55.0% compared with 13.3% 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 -78.7% for MSII and -8.9% 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

MSII charges 1.54% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $154 vs $3 annually, a gap of $151 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSII currently yields 64.93% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 1 holding in MSII and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 4.6% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, MSII as of Dec 31, 2025 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in MSII and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 11 and 3,543.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of MSII and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

MSIIVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, MSII or VTI?

MSII has an expense ratio of 1.54% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $151 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, MSII or VTI?

MSII has been the more volatile fund at 55.0% annualized versus 13.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MSII -78.7% vs VTI -8.9%.

Should I hold both MSII and VTI?

MSII and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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, MSII or VTI?

MSII yields 64.93% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MSII currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than MSII?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.