PHYD vs VTI
Putnam ESG High Yield ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PHYD or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | PHYD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.98% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 323 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.3%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $12,934 | $19,184Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 104 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PHYD has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VTI through Sep 21, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 2023 to Jun 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 4.5% for PHYD. 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 -4.3% for PHYD 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHYD charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHYD currently yields 8.98% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 266 holdings in PHYD and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 82.5% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of PHYD to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, PHYD as of Jan 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 positions in common, counted across the 266 positions we hold weights for in PHYD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 323 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PHYD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| THCTenet Healthcare Corporation 6.13 06/15/2030 | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHYD 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, PHYD or VTI?
PHYD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PHYD or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 4.5% for PHYD. Worst drawdown: PHYD -4.3% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both PHYD and VTI?
PHYD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, PHYD or VTI?
PHYD yields 8.98% while VTI yields 1.03%, so PHYD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PHYD?
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.