SETM vs VTI
Sprott Critical Materials ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SETM or VTI?
Energy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SETM led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.2%.
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 | SETM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $613M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 158 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.98% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +37.94%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.90%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.5% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.8% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $16,410 | $18,660Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Sprott ETFS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.6 years).
SETM 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 3.6 years both funds cover.
SETM vs VTI Performance
Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) is an ETF from Sprott ETFS and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SETM returned +37.94% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, SETM is up 2.98% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, SETM compounded at +22.90% per year against +21.01% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +18.92% annualized vs +14.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SETM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.5% compared with 12.8% 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 -41.8% for SETM and -19.3% 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SETM charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SETM currently yields 1.31% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
15.0% of SETM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings SETM also owns.
SETM and VTI share little of their money.
10 positions in common, counted across the 155 positions we hold weights for in SETM and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 158 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,146 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SETM (97.4% of the fund), and 4 for SETM that do not appear in VTI (3.0%).
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 SETM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UECUranium Energy Corp | 3.46% | 0.01% | 3.45% |
| ALBAlbemarle Corp. | 3.35% | 0.02% | 3.33% |
| MPMp Materials Corp | 3.06% | 0.01% | 3.05% |
| HLHecla Mining Co | 2.99% | 0.01% | 2.98% |
| EFR:CAEnergy Fuels Inc | 1.26% | 0.00% | 1.26% |
| URGUr Energy Inc | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.39% |
| ENCUFEncore Energy Corp. | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.18% |
| ABATAmerican Battery Technology Co | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.16% |
| IEIvanhoe Electric Inc | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| WWRWestwater Resources Inc. | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SETM 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, SETM or VTI?
SETM has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SETM or VTI?
Over the past year SETM returned +37.94% vs +16.08% for VTI, so SETM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SETM annualized +14.75% vs +18.92% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SETM or VTI?
SETM has been the more volatile fund at 32.5% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SETM -41.8% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SETM and VTI?
SETM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 SETM and VTI?
15.0% of SETM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings SETM also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 155 positions we hold weights for in SETM and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SETM or VTI?
SETM yields 1.31% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SETM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SETM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SETM led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.