PEPS vs VTI

PEPS vs VTI

Which is better, PEPS or VTI?

Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. PEPS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: PEPS

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

MetricPEPSVTI
Expense Ratio0.10%0.03%Best
AUM$30M$666.9B
Dividend Yield0.93%1.07%
Holdings1933,543
YTD Return+12.76%+13.59%Best
1Y Return+21.06%Best+20.00%
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.95%
5Y Return (annualized)-+11.81%
Volatility (annualized)12.9%12.8%Best
Max Drawdown-21.0%-19.3%Best
$10,000 over 1.8 years$13,393Best$13,034
Fund FamilyParametricVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Blend
InceptionNov 7, 2024May 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: Nov 8, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).

PEPS 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.

PEPS vs VTI Performance

Parametric Equity Plus ETF (PEPS) is an ETF from Parametric and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PEPS returned +21.06% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, PEPS is up 12.76% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

PEPS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% 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 -21.0% for PEPS 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

PEPS charges 0.10% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $3 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PEPS currently yields 0.93% against 1.07% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

PEPS already in VTI92.5%

At least 92.5% of PEPS's money is in holdings VTI also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

Most of PEPS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, PEPS as of Aug 18, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

171 positions in common, counted across the 195 positions we hold weights for in PEPS and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 193 and 3,543.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in PEPSWeight in VTIDifference
NVDANvidia Corp.7.26%6.32%0.94%
AAPLApple, Inc6.69%5.84%0.85%
MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 375.23%3.81%1.42%
AMZNAmazon.Com Inc3.67%3.17%0.50%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A2.96%2.88%0.08%
AVGOBroadcom Inc2.78%2.46%0.32%
GOOGAlphabet Inc. C2.63%2.27%0.36%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.1.95%1.79%0.16%
METAMeta Platform Inc 1.79%1.70%0.09%
LLYEli Lilly & Co.1.80%1.40%0.40%

92.5% of PEPS 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.

PEPSVTI

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, PEPS or VTI?

PEPS has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, PEPS or VTI?

Over the past year PEPS returned +21.06% vs +20.00% for VTI, so PEPS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PEPS annualized +17.62% vs +15.86% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, PEPS or VTI?

PEPS has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PEPS -21.0% vs VTI -19.3%.

Should I hold both PEPS and VTI?

PEPS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 PEPS and VTI?

At least 92.5% of PEPS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 171 positions in common, counted across the 195 positions we hold weights for in PEPS and 2,787 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, PEPS or VTI?

PEPS yields 0.93% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than PEPS?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. PEPS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.