MXI vs VTI
iShares Global Materials ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MXI or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.7%.
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 | MXI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $431M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 113 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.50% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.06%Best | +15.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.25% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.80% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,558 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2006 to Oct 1, 2026 (20 years).
MXI 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 20 years both funds cover.
MXI vs VTI Performance
iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MXI returned +17.06% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, MXI is up 9.50% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, MXI compounded at +14.25% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.80% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.56% annualized vs +4.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 15.8% 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 -68.7% for MXI and -56.6% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MXI charges 0.37% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MXI currently yields 1.59% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
35.3% of MXI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.5% of VTI's money is in holdings MXI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
23 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 113 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,128 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MXI (96.0% of the fund), and 5 for MXI that do not appear in VTI (2.1%).
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 MXI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 6.77% | 0.31% | 6.46% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 4.25% | 0.14% | 4.11% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 3.21% | 0.12% | 3.09% |
| SHWSherwin Williams Co/the | 2.33% | 0.11% | 2.22% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 2.20% | 0.10% | 2.10% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals Inc. | 2.04% | 0.09% | 1.95% |
| CRH:LNCrh Plc - Common | 1.86% | 0.09% | 1.77% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 1.86% | 0.08% | 1.78% |
| CTVACorteva Inc Ctva | 1.76% | 0.07% | 1.69% |
| VMCVulcan Materials Co. | 1.03% | 0.05% | 0.98% |
35.3% of MXI 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, MXI or VTI?
MXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MXI or VTI?
Over the past year MXI returned +17.06% vs +15.23% for VTI, so MXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), MXI annualized +4.85% vs +9.56% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MXI or VTI?
MXI has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MXI -68.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both MXI and VTI?
MXI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 MXI and VTI?
35.3% of MXI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.5% of VTI's is in holdings MXI also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MXI or VTI?
MXI yields 1.59% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MXI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.