REM vs VTI
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, REM 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. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.9%.
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 | REM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $533M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.93% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 37 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -16.54% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.62% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +1.53% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.08% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -92.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,705 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 77.9% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 4, 2007 to Sep 28, 2026 (19.4 years).
REM 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
REM vs VTI Performance
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year REM returned -10.62% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, REM is down 16.54% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, REM compounded at +1.53% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -5.08% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.10% annualized vs -9.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
REM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.7% compared with 16.0% 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 -92.9% for REM 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
REM charges 0.48% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $48 vs $3 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, REM currently yields 8.93% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.4% of REM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings REM also owns.
Most of REM is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
28 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in REM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 37 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,146 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for REM (97.4% of the fund), and 2 for REM that do not appear in VTI (2.3%).
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 REM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLYAnnaly Capital Management Inc | 25.86% | 0.02% | 25.84% |
| AGNCAgnc Investment Corp. | 16.73% | 0.02% | 16.71% |
| STWDStarwood Property Trust Inc Com Reit | 7.48% | 0.01% | 7.47% |
| RITMRithm Capital | 5.26% | 0.01% | 5.25% |
| DXDynex Capital, Inc. | 4.80% | 0.00% | 4.80% |
| ARRArmour Residential Reit Inc | 4.57% | 0.00% | 4.57% |
| EFCEllington Financial Inc | 3.85% | 0.00% | 3.85% |
| BXMTBlackstone Mortgage Trust Inc | 3.65% | 0.00% | 3.65% |
| ORCOrchid Isla | 3.14% | 0.00% | 3.14% |
| LADRLadder Capital Corp. | 2.59% | 0.00% | 2.59% |
97.4% of REM 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, REM or VTI?
REM has an expense ratio of 0.48% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, REM or VTI?
Over the past year REM returned -10.62% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), REM annualized -9.46% vs +9.10% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, REM or VTI?
REM has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: REM -92.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both REM and VTI?
REM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 REM and VTI?
97.4% of REM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings REM also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in REM and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, REM or VTI?
REM yields 8.93% while VTI yields 1.03%, so REM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than REM?
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 77.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.