SMDV vs VTI
Proshares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMDV or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMDV is less concentrated, with 12.0% 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 | SMDV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $654M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 101 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +10.18% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.01% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.82% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.20% | +12.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,885 | $18,286Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 3, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 5, 2015 to Oct 2, 2026 (11.7 years).
SMDV 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 11.7 years both funds cover.
SMDV vs VTI Performance
Proshares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMDV returned +10.01% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, SMDV is up 10.18% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, SMDV compounded at +11.82% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.20% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.23% annualized vs +7.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.4% 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 -34.1% for SMDV 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMDV charges 0.40% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $3 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMDV currently yields 2.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.7% of SMDV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's money is in holdings SMDV also owns.
Most of SMDV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
99 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SMDV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 101 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 100 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,119 positions SMDV does not, 97.0% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMDV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HNIHni Corp | 1.40% | 0.00% | 1.40% |
| PRGOPerrigo Company Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.24% | 0.00% | 1.24% |
| GICGlobal Industrial | 1.23% | 0.00% | 1.23% |
| AGMFederal Agricultural Mortgage Corp | 1.22% | 0.00% | 1.22% |
| EXPOExponent Inc | 1.21% | 0.00% | 1.21% |
| MATXMatson Inc | 1.18% | 0.01% | 1.17% |
| SCLStepan Co | 1.14% | 0.00% | 1.14% |
| MSBIMidland States Bancorp Inc | 1.13% | 0.00% | 1.13% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 1.12% | 0.00% | 1.12% |
| AVNTAvient Corp | 1.12% | 0.00% | 1.12% |
98.7% of SMDV 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, SMDV or VTI?
SMDV has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMDV or VTI?
Over the past year SMDV returned +10.01% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), SMDV annualized +7.47% vs +12.23% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMDV or VTI?
SMDV has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMDV -34.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SMDV and VTI?
SMDV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 SMDV and VTI?
98.7% of SMDV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.4% of VTI's is in holdings SMDV also owns. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in SMDV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMDV or VTI?
SMDV yields 2.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SMDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMDV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMDV is less concentrated, with 12.0% 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.