SAEF vs VTI
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SAEF or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%.
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 | SAEF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 59 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,883 | $16,221Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 77 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SAEF has data through Jul 17, 2026 and VTI through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% 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 -28.1% for SAEF and -25.4% 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
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
84.0% of SAEF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's money is in holdings SAEF also owns.
Most of SAEF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
51 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 59 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,107 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SAEF (96.3% of the fund), and 4 for SAEF that do not appear in VTI (10.1%).
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 SAEF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCOBrink's Co/the | 4.68% | 0.01% | 4.67% |
| LINDLindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc | 4.36% | 0.00% | 4.36% |
| NCLHNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings | 4.06% | 0.01% | 4.05% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 3.34% | 0.02% | 3.32% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 2.75% | 0.04% | 2.71% |
| REZIResideo Technologies Inc | 2.71% | 0.01% | 2.70% |
| FAFFirst American Corporation | 2.70% | 0.01% | 2.69% |
| PBHPrestige Consumer Healthcare Inc | 2.38% | 0.00% | 2.38% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 2.20% | 0.02% | 2.18% |
| KKRKkr & Co. Inc. Class a | 2.13% | 0.09% | 2.04% |
84.0% of SAEF 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, SAEF or VTI?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or VTI?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 16.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both SAEF and VTI?
SAEF 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 SAEF and VTI?
84.0% of SAEF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's is in holdings SAEF also owns. They hold 51 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAEF or VTI?
SAEF yields 0.33% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SAEF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.