SMCF vs VTI
Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMCF or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMCF led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.7%.
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 | SMCF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 76 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.62%Best | +13.14% |
| 1Y Return | +19.98%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.01% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.0% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $15,929 | $16,947Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2023 to Sep 21, 2026 (2.8 years).
SMCF 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
SMCF vs VTI Performance
Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF (SMCF) is an ETF from Themes ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMCF returned +19.98% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, SMCF is up 17.62% versus a gain of 13.14% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 12.0% 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 -28.0% for SMCF 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCF charges 0.29% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $3 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMCF currently yields 3.23% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
91.8% of SMCF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's money is in holdings SMCF also owns.
Most of SMCF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
63 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in SMCF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 76 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,121 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SMCF (97.1% of the fund), and 7 for SMCF that do not appear in VTI (5.2%).
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 SMCF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 5.21% | 0.02% | 5.19% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 4.88% | 0.02% | 4.86% |
| RNRRenaissancere Holdings Limited | 4.33% | 0.02% | 4.31% |
| MLIMueller Industries Inc | 4.18% | 0.02% | 4.16% |
| FNFFidelity Nationa | 3.73% | 0.02% | 3.71% |
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp. | 3.24% | 0.01% | 3.23% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 3.01% | 0.01% | 3.00% |
| THGHanover Insurance Group Inc | 2.50% | 0.01% | 2.49% |
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc. Ordinary Shares | 2.36% | 0.01% | 2.35% |
| OSCROscar Health, Inc. | 2.24% | 0.01% | 2.23% |
91.8% of SMCF 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, SMCF or VTI?
SMCF has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMCF or VTI?
Over the past year SMCF returned +19.98% vs +16.63% for VTI, so SMCF leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMCF or VTI?
SMCF has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 12.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMCF -28.0% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SMCF and VTI?
SMCF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 SMCF and VTI?
91.8% of SMCF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's is in holdings SMCF also owns. They hold 63 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in SMCF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMCF or VTI?
SMCF yields 3.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SMCF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMCF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMCF led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.