MSSM vs VTI
Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MSSM or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MSSM led over 1Y, VTI over 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 | MSSM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $705M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.67% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,229 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.20%Best | +12.28% |
| 1Y Return | +18.58%Best | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.2% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,068 | $12,810Best |
| Fund Family | Morgan Stanley | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | 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 9, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.8 years).
MSSM 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.
MSSM vs VTI Performance
Morgan Stanley Pathway Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MSSM) is an ETF from Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MSSM returned +18.58% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, MSSM is up 13.20% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -24.2% for MSSM 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSSM charges 0.62% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $3 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSSM currently yields 2.67% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.9% of VTI's money is in holdings MSSM also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MSSM, our book for it covers 90.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and MSSM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, MSSM as of Apr 30, 2026 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.
1,292 positions in common, counted across the 1,406 positions we hold weights for in MSSM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 2,229 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MSSM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 1.24% | 0.25% | 0.99% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 1.38% | 0.08% | 1.30% |
| BECfd Bloom Energy Corp- A | 1.20% | 0.08% | 1.12% |
| CIENCiena Corp | 0.95% | 0.07% | 0.88% |
| 0RMV:LNTechnipfmc Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.96% | 0.04% | 0.92% |
| FTAIFtai Aviation Ltd. | 0.94% | 0.03% | 0.91% |
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.79% | 0.01% | 0.78% |
| NXTNextpower Inc Class A Common Stock | 0.68% | 0.02% | 0.66% |
| VECOVeeco Instruments Inc | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| RMBSRambus Inc | 0.65% | 0.01% | 0.64% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MSSM 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, MSSM or VTI?
MSSM has an expense ratio of 0.62% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSSM or VTI?
Over the past year MSSM returned +18.58% vs +16.78% for VTI, so MSSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MSSM annualized +11.01% vs +14.75% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MSSM or VTI?
MSSM has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MSSM -24.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MSSM and VTI?
MSSM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MSSM and VTI?
At least 8.9% of VTI's money is in holdings MSSM also owns. Our book for MSSM is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,292 positions in common, counted across the 1,406 positions we hold weights for in MSSM and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MSSM or VTI?
MSSM yields 2.67% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MSSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MSSM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MSSM led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.