PMAY vs VTI
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - May vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, PMAY or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | PMAY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $814M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 12 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.35% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.72% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.01% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.36% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.9%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.1%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,263 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (6.4 years).
PMAY 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
PMAY vs VTI Performance
Innovator US Equity Power Buffer ETF - May (PMAY) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PMAY returned +8.72% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, PMAY is up 6.35% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, PMAY compounded at +12.01% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.36% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +17.89% annualized vs +8.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 6.9% for PMAY. 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 -13.1% for PMAY and -25.4% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PMAY charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PMAY currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PMAY 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, PMAY or VTI?
PMAY has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PMAY or VTI?
Over the past year PMAY returned +8.72% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), PMAY annualized +8.31% vs +17.89% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PMAY or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 6.9% for PMAY. Worst drawdown: PMAY -13.1% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both PMAY and VTI?
PMAY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, PMAY or VTI?
PMAY yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than PMAY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.