PFI vs VTI
Invesco Dorsey Wright Financial Momentum ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PFI or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%.
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 | PFI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 50 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.35% | +11.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.54% | +15.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.10% | +22.32%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.44% | +12.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,842 | $18,020Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 12, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2006 to Sep 30, 2026 (20 years).
PFI 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.
PFI vs VTI Performance
Invesco Dorsey Wright Financial Momentum ETF (PFI) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFI returned +0.54% while VTI returned +15.05%. Year to date, PFI is down 0.35% versus a gain of 11.95% for VTI.
Over three years, PFI compounded at +14.10% per year against +22.32% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.44% and +12.50% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +4.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% 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 -60.3% for PFI 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFI charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFI currently yields 0.99% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of PFI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.0% of VTI's money is in holdings PFI also owns.
Most of PFI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
37 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in PFI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 50 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,122 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for PFI (94.5% of the fund), and 1 for PFI that do not appear in VTI (0.3%).
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 PFI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.40% | 1.31% | 3.09% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 4.72% | 0.01% | 4.71% |
| ENVAEnova International Inc. (usd) | 4.13% | 0.01% | 4.12% |
| IBKRInteractive Brokers Group Inc | 4.05% | 0.05% | 4.00% |
| WETFWisdomtree International Equity | 3.97% | 0.00% | 3.97% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 3.62% | 0.35% | 3.27% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 3.71% | 0.07% | 3.64% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 3.38% | 0.15% | 3.23% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 3.01% | 0.40% | 2.61% |
| PFGPrincipalfinancialgroupinc. | 3.19% | 0.03% | 3.16% |
99.7% of PFI 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, PFI or VTI?
PFI has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFI or VTI?
Over the past year PFI returned +0.54% vs +15.05% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PFI annualized +4.75% vs +9.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFI or VTI?
PFI has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: PFI -60.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both PFI and VTI?
PFI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 PFI and VTI?
99.7% of PFI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.0% of VTI's is in holdings PFI also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in PFI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFI or VTI?
PFI yields 0.99% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PFI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.