SIMS vs VTI
State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SIMS or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIMS is less concentrated, with 30.8% 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 | SIMS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 55 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.84% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.06% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.46% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.15% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,925 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 27, 2017 to Sep 28, 2026 (8.8 years).
SIMS 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 8.8 years both funds cover.
SIMS vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SIMS returned +0.06% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, SIMS is down 1.84% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, SIMS compounded at +10.46% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.15% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.16% annualized vs +4.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SIMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 16.8% 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 -44.0% for SIMS 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
SIMS charges 0.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SIMS currently yields 0.58% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
84.8% of SIMS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.2% of VTI's money is in holdings SIMS also owns.
Most of SIMS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
43 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in SIMS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 55 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,122 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SIMS (95.3% of the fund), and 5 for SIMS that do not appear in VTI (7.1%).
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 SIMS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.62% | 1.22% | 1.40% |
| TTEKIndustrials (continued) Tetra Tech Inc. | 3.62% | 0.01% | 3.61% |
| ALRMAlarm.com Holdings Inc | 3.39% | 0.00% | 3.39% |
| ITRIItron Inc | 3.31% | 0.01% | 3.30% |
| VLTOVeralto Corp | 3.25% | 0.03% | 3.22% |
| ADTADT INC | 3.00% | 0.01% | 2.99% |
| ARLOArlo Technologies Inc | 2.90% | 0.00% | 2.90% |
| WTTRSelect Energy Services Inc | 2.88% | 0.00% | 2.88% |
| BMIBadger Meter, Inc. | 2.87% | 0.01% | 2.86% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 2.80% | 0.04% | 2.76% |
84.8% of SIMS 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, SIMS or VTI?
SIMS has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SIMS or VTI?
Over the past year SIMS returned +0.06% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SIMS annualized +4.57% vs +13.16% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SIMS or VTI?
SIMS has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SIMS -44.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SIMS and VTI?
SIMS 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 SIMS and VTI?
84.8% of SIMS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.2% of VTI's is in holdings SIMS also owns. They hold 43 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in SIMS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SIMS or VTI?
SIMS yields 0.58% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SIMS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIMS is less concentrated, with 30.8% 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.