SMDX vs VTI
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMDX or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMDX led over the full window, VTI over 1Y.
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 | SMDX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $128M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 529 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.31%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +15.08% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5%Best | -16.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,019Best | $13,004 |
| Fund Family | Intech ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.5 years).
SMDX 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
SMDX vs VTI Performance
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) is an ETF from Intech ETF and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMDX returned +15.08% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SMDX is up 13.31% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.6% for SMDX. 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 -14.5% for SMDX and -16.5% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMDX charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMDX currently yields 0.52% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 76.3% of SMDX'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.
Most of SMDX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, SMDX as of Sep 2, 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.
432 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in SMDX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 529 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMDX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXELExelixis Inc | 0.98% | 0.02% | 0.96% |
| UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corp | 0.97% | 0.03% | 0.94% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.96% | 0.02% | 0.94% |
| THCTenet Healthcare Corp. | 0.93% | 0.02% | 0.91% |
| XPOXpo Logistics Inc. | 0.82% | 0.03% | 0.79% |
| LAMRLamar Advertising Co | 0.79% | 0.02% | 0.77% |
| CWCurtiss-wright Corp | 0.70% | 0.04% | 0.66% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.69% | 0.03% | 0.66% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 0.69% | 0.00% | 0.69% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
76.3% of SMDX 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, SMDX or VTI?
SMDX has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMDX or VTI?
Over the past year SMDX returned +15.08% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMDX annualized +19.23% vs +19.14% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMDX or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.6% for SMDX. Worst drawdown: SMDX -14.5% vs VTI -16.5%.
Should I hold both SMDX and VTI?
SMDX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SMDX and VTI?
At least 76.3% of SMDX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 432 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in SMDX and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMDX or VTI?
SMDX yields 0.52% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMDX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMDX led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.