SMCO vs VTI
Hilton Small-MidCap Opportunity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMCO or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and 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 | SMCO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $137M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 65 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.44% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.38% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.7% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $14,418 | $17,363Best |
| Fund Family | Hilton Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 29, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.8 years).
SMCO 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.
SMCO vs VTI Performance
Hilton Small-MidCap Opportunity ETF (SMCO) is an ETF from Hilton Capital Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMCO returned +5.38% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SMCO is up 4.44% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 12.1% 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 -22.7% for SMCO 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCO 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, SMCO currently yields 0.94% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.9% of SMCO's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, SMCO as of Aug 17, 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.
41 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in SMCO and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 65 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMCO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DYDycom Industries Inc | 2.74% | 0.02% | 2.72% |
| CFRCullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | 2.74% | 0.01% | 2.73% |
| TDYTeledyne Technologies Inc | 2.43% | 0.04% | 2.39% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services Inc | 2.34% | 0.03% | 2.31% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 2.19% | 0.05% | 2.14% |
| PRMBPrimo Brands Corp | 2.14% | 0.00% | 2.14% |
| STESteris Plc | 2.05% | 0.03% | 2.02% |
| CIENCiena Corp | 1.94% | 0.10% | 1.84% |
| MTSIMacom Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. | 1.96% | 0.04% | 1.92% |
| FRPTFreshpet, Inc. | 1.98% | 0.00% | 1.98% |
66.9% of SMCO 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, SMCO or VTI?
SMCO 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, SMCO or VTI?
Over the past year SMCO returned +5.38% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMCO or VTI?
SMCO has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 12.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMCO -22.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SMCO and VTI?
SMCO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SMCO and VTI?
At least 66.9% of SMCO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in SMCO and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMCO or VTI?
SMCO yields 0.94% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMCO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.