SAMT vs VTI
Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SAMT or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SAMT led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y 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 | SAMT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $830M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 42 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.84% | +13.10%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.31% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.18%Best | +22.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.6%Best | -22.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $17,606 | $18,466Best |
| Fund Family | Strategas Asset Management, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2022 to Sep 24, 2026 (4.7 years).
SAMT 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
SAMT vs VTI Performance
Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) is an ETF from Strategas Asset Management, LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SAMT returned +15.31% while VTI returned +17.01%. Year to date, SAMT is up 8.84% versus a gain of 13.10% for VTI.
Over three years, SAMT compounded at +24.18% per year against +22.26% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAMT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 15.8% 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 -20.6% for SAMT and -22.4% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAMT charges 0.66% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $3 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAMT currently yields 0.63% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 20.0% of VTI's money is in holdings SAMT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SAMT, our book for it covers 91.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and SAMT share little of their money.
39 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in SAMT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 42 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAMT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.13% | 4.79% | 2.66% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.64% | 3.65% | 1.01% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.26% | 2.90% | 0.64% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.62% | 1.35% | 1.27% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.04% | 0.83% | 2.21% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.96% | 0.61% | 2.35% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.23% | 1.31% | 0.92% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 3.37% | 0.09% | 3.28% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.55% | 0.86% | 1.69% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.28% | 0.12% | 3.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAMT and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SAMT or VTI?
SAMT has an expense ratio of 0.66% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAMT or VTI?
Over the past year SAMT returned +15.31% vs +17.01% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SAMT or VTI?
SAMT has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SAMT -20.6% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both SAMT and VTI?
SAMT 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 SAMT and VTI?
At least 20.0% of VTI's money is in holdings SAMT also owns. Our book for SAMT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in SAMT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAMT or VTI?
SAMT yields 0.63% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SAMT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SAMT led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.