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, 3Y and 5Y, 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 | SLX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $165M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 40 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +28.57%Best | +12.34% |
| 1Y Return | +60.74%Best | +18.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72%Best | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.44%Best | +11.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 33.7% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,405Best | $17,373 |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 10, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 16, 2006 to Sep 9, 2026 (19.9 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 19.9 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 +60.74% while VTI returned +18.37%. Year to date, SLX is up 28.57% versus a gain of 12.34% for VTI.
Over three years, SLX compounded at +20.72% per year against +20.62% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +16.44% and +11.68% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.41% annualized vs +7.87%.
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
At least 19.8% of SLX's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SLX and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, SLX as of Sep 1, 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SLX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 40 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLX 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, 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 +60.74% vs +18.37% for VTI, so SLX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SLX annualized +7.87% vs +9.41% 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?
At least 19.8% of SLX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SLX and 2,787 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, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.