MST vs VTI
Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MST or VTI?
Leverage Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
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 | MST | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.91% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 196.33% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 26 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -47.84% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -89.68% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 127.1% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -97.7% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $715 | $13,727Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Leverage Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.4 years).
MST 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
MST vs VTI Performance
Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF (MST) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MST returned -89.68% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MST is down 47.84% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 127.1% compared with 11.8% 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 -97.7% for MST 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MST charges 1.91% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $191 vs $3 annually, a gap of $188 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MST currently yields 196.33% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in MST and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 7.8% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in MST and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 26 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MST 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, MST or VTI?
MST has an expense ratio of 1.91% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $188 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MST or VTI?
Over the past year MST returned -89.68% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), MST annualized -84.80% vs +25.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MST or VTI?
MST has been the more volatile fund at 127.1% annualized versus 11.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MST -97.7% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both MST and VTI?
MST and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, MST or VTI?
MST yields 196.33% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MST?
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.