SLX vs VTI
VanEck Steel ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SLX or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLX led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.9%.
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 | SLX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 80 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +17.83%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +39.48%Best | +15.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.17% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.63%Best | +12.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.7% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,580Best | $17,869 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.9% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 10, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 16, 2006 to Oct 1, 2026 (20 years).
SLX 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 20 years both funds cover.
SLX vs VTI Performance
VanEck Steel ETF (SLX) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLX returned +39.48% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, SLX is up 17.83% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, SLX compounded at +18.17% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +16.63% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +7.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.7% 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 -82.1% for SLX and -56.6% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLX charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLX currently yields 1.23% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
20.1% of SLX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.2% of VTI's money is in holdings SLX also owns.
SLX and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, SLX as of Sep 15, 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SLX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 80 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,145 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SLX (97.3% of the fund), and 0 for SLX that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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.
20.1% of SLX 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, SLX or VTI?
SLX has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLX or VTI?
Over the past year SLX returned +39.48% vs +15.23% for VTI, so SLX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SLX annualized +7.38% vs +9.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLX or VTI?
SLX has been the more volatile fund at 33.7% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SLX -82.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both SLX and VTI?
SLX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 SLX and VTI?
20.1% of SLX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.2% of VTI's is in holdings SLX also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SLX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLX or VTI?
SLX yields 1.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SLX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SLX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLX led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.