ROAM vs VTI

ROAM vs VTI

Which is better, ROAM or VTI?

Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. ROAM led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: split

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

MetricROAMVTI
Expense Ratio0.44%0.03%Best
AUM$112M$666.9B
Dividend Yield2.46%1.07%
Holdings3503,543
YTD Return+25.35%Best+13.59%
1Y Return+40.51%Best+20.00%
3Y Return (annualized)+23.22%Best+20.95%
5Y Return (annualized)+11.47%+11.81%Best
Volatility (annualized)16.3%15.4%Best
Max Drawdown-48.6%-35.0%Best
$10,000 over 5 years$17,210$17,474Best
Fund FamilyHartford FundsVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap ValueLarge Cap Blend
InceptionFeb 25, 2015May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.5 years).

ROAM 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 11.5 years both funds cover.

ROAM vs VTI Performance

Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ROAM returned +40.51% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, ROAM is up 25.35% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.

Over three years, ROAM compounded at +23.22% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.47% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.15% annualized vs +5.10%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

ROAM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 15.4% 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 -48.6% for ROAM and -35.0% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ROAM charges 0.44% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $44 vs $3 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROAM currently yields 2.46% against 1.07% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 328 holdings in ROAM and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 99.6% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ROAM as of Aug 17, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

0 positions in common, counted across the 328 positions we hold weights for in ROAM and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 350 and 3,543.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of ROAM and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

ROAMVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ROAM or VTI?

ROAM has an expense ratio of 0.44% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, ROAM or VTI?

Over the past year ROAM returned +40.51% vs +20.00% for VTI, so ROAM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ROAM annualized +5.10% vs +12.15% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, ROAM or VTI?

ROAM has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ROAM -48.6% vs VTI -35.0%.

Should I hold both ROAM and VTI?

ROAM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, ROAM or VTI?

ROAM yields 2.46% while VTI yields 1.07%, so ROAM currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than ROAM?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. ROAM led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.