ROBO vs VTI
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ROBO or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ROBO led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBO is less concentrated, with 18.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | ROBO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 80 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.25% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.82%Best | +15.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.37% | +20.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.26% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,182 | $17,303Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.1%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Robo Global | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 22, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2013 to Sep 15, 2026 (12.9 years).
ROBO 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
ROBO vs VTI Performance
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO) is an ETF from Robo Global and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ROBO returned +18.82% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, ROBO is up 9.25% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, ROBO compounded at +14.37% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.26% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.18% annualized vs +9.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 14.9% 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 -43.6% for ROBO 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBO charges 0.95% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBO currently yields 0.36% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
42.0% of ROBO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.1% of VTI's money is in holdings ROBO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
31 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in ROBO and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 80 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,124 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ROBO (88.4% of the fund), and 3 for ROBO that do not appear in VTI (2.8%).
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 ROBO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.50% | 6.40% | 4.90% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.07% | 1.22% | 0.15% |
| ILMNIllumina, Inc. | 2.03% | 0.04% | 1.99% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 1.90% | 0.02% | 1.88% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 1.67% | 0.21% | 1.46% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc. | 1.66% | 0.17% | 1.49% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 1.69% | 0.12% | 1.57% |
| ROKRockwell Automation | 1.71% | 0.07% | 1.64% |
| NDSNNordson Corp | 1.70% | 0.02% | 1.68% |
| NOVTNovanta Inc. Common Stock | 1.67% | 0.01% | 1.66% |
42.0% of ROBO 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, ROBO or VTI?
ROBO has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBO or VTI?
Over the past year ROBO returned +18.82% vs +15.74% for VTI, so ROBO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ROBO annualized +9.23% vs +12.18% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBO or VTI?
ROBO has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 14.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ROBO -43.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ROBO and VTI?
ROBO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 ROBO and VTI?
42.0% of ROBO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.1% of VTI's is in holdings ROBO also owns. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in ROBO and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBO or VTI?
ROBO yields 0.36% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ROBO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ROBO led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBO is less concentrated, with 18.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.