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 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 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 | $877M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 42 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.09% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.39%Best | +21.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.16%Best | +21.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.77% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.6%Best | -22.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $17,710 | $18,501Best |
| 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 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2022 to Sep 3, 2026 (4.6 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 4.6 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 +24.39% while VTI returned +21.44%. Year to date, SAMT is up 10.09% versus a gain of 13.95% for VTI.
Over three years, SAMT compounded at +23.16% per year against +21.10% 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 16.3% 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 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 43 holdings in SAMT and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 92.6% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 38 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, SAMT as of Aug 19, 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.
38 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in SAMT and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 42 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAMT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.67% | 3.17% | 0.50% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.01% | 3.81% | 1.80% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 2.27% | 2.88% | 0.61% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.87% | 1.40% | 1.47% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.89% | 0.77% | 2.12% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.04% | 0.61% | 2.43% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.60% | 0.84% | 1.76% |
| TGTTarget Corp-1477 | 3.30% | 0.08% | 3.22% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.21% | 1.11% | 1.10% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.19% | 0.09% | 3.10% |
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 +24.39% vs +21.44% for VTI, so SAMT 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 16.3% 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAMT or VTI?
SAMT yields 0.63% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SAMT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SAMT led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.