RDOG vs VTI
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RDOG or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | RDOG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.14% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 44 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.22%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +15.33% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.68% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.43% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.5% | -52.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,736 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 7, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 9, 2008 to Sep 4, 2026 (18.3 years).
RDOG 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 18.3 years both funds cover.
RDOG vs VTI Performance
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RDOG returned +15.33% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, RDOG is up 16.22% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, RDOG compounded at +10.68% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.43% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.20% annualized vs +0.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RDOG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 16.2% 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 -70.5% for RDOG and -52.6% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RDOG charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDOG currently yields 6.14% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 74.5% of RDOG'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 RDOG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
32 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in RDOG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 44 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 43 and 2,787 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 676 positions RDOG does not, 91.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.32%, AAPL 5.84%, MSFT 3.81%, AMZN 3.17%, GOOGL 2.88%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RDOG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LXPLxp Industrial Trust [Lxp] | 2.70% | 0.00% | 2.70% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 2.57% | 0.09% | 2.48% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 2.47% | 0.14% | 2.33% |
| SLGSl Green Realty Corp. | 2.59% | 0.00% | 2.59% |
| UMHUmh Properties Inc | 2.55% | 0.00% | 2.55% |
| HIWHighwoods Properties Inc | 2.50% | 0.00% | 2.50% |
| CTOCTO Realty Growth, Inc. | 2.49% | 0.00% | 2.49% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 2.37% | 0.08% | 2.29% |
| DEAEasterly Government Properti | 2.44% | 0.00% | 2.44% |
| GOODGladstone Commercial Corporation | 2.44% | 0.00% | 2.44% |
74.5% of RDOG 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, RDOG or VTI?
RDOG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RDOG or VTI?
Over the past year RDOG returned +15.33% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), RDOG annualized +0.87% vs +10.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RDOG or VTI?
RDOG has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 16.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RDOG -70.5% vs VTI -52.6%.
Should I hold both RDOG and VTI?
RDOG 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.
What is the holdings overlap between RDOG and VTI?
At least 74.5% of RDOG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in RDOG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RDOG or VTI?
RDOG yields 6.14% while VTI yields 1.07%, so RDOG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RDOG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.