PSL vs VTI

PSL vs VTI

Which is better, PSL or VTI?

Mid Cap Growth 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 40.0%.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTILess Concentrated: VTI

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

MetricPSLVTI
Expense Ratio0.60%0.03%Best
AUM$84M$666.9B
Dividend Yield0.73%1.03%
Holdings503,543
YTD Return+8.28%+14.05%Best
1Y Return+0.28%+16.93%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+9.50%+22.65%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+4.98%+12.46%Best
Volatility (annualized)13.9%Best15.8%
Max Drawdown-42.0%Best-56.6%
$10,000 over 5 years$12,751$17,988Best
Top 10 Weight40.0%33.3%Best
Fund FamilyInvesco (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleMid Cap GrowthLarge Cap Blend
InceptionOct 12, 2006May 24, 2001

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2006 to Sep 22, 2026 (19.9 years).

PSL 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 19.9 years both funds cover.

PSL vs VTI Performance

Invesco Dorsey Wright Consumer Staples Momentum ETF (PSL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSL returned +0.28% while VTI returned +16.93%. Year to date, PSL is up 8.28% versus a gain of 14.05% for VTI.

Over three years, PSL compounded at +9.50% per year against +22.65% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.98% and +12.46% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.51% annualized vs +7.93%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.9% for PSL. 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 -42.0% for PSL 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

PSL 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, PSL currently yields 0.73% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

PSL already in VTI99.8%
VTI already in PSL2.6%

99.8% of PSL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings PSL also owns.

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

47 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PSL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 50 and 3,543.

What only one of them owns

Measured across the 48 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.

VTI holds 1,121 positions PSL does not, 94.8% of the fund.

Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in PSLWeight in VTIDifference
COSTCostco Wholesale Corp.4.85%0.59%4.26%
USFDUS Foods Holding Corp5.30%0.03%5.27%
CHDChurch & Dwight Co. Inc.4.66%0.03%4.63%
CASYCaseys General4.59%0.04%4.55%
PMPhilip Morris International Inc.3.62%0.41%3.21%
PFGCPerformance Food Group Co3.95%0.02%3.93%
DARDarling Ingredients, Inc.3.47%0.01%3.46%
MNSTMonster Beverage Corp.3.36%0.09%3.27%
MOAltria Group Inc3.08%0.16%2.92%
ELEstee Lauder Cos., Inc.3.14%0.03%3.11%

99.8% of PSL 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.

PSLVTI

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, PSL or VTI?

PSL 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, PSL or VTI?

Over the past year PSL returned +0.28% vs +16.93% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PSL annualized +7.93% vs +9.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, PSL or VTI?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.9% for PSL. Worst drawdown: PSL -42.0% vs VTI -56.6%.

Should I hold both PSL and VTI?

PSL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 PSL and VTI?

99.8% of PSL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.6% of VTI's is in holdings PSL also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PSL and 3,463 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, PSL or VTI?

PSL yields 0.73% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than PSL?

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 40.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.