SMIZ vs VTI
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMIZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | SMIZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $271M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 203 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.18% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.79% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.58% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.0% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $17,207 | $18,495Best |
| Fund Family | Zacks | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.9 years).
SMIZ 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
SMIZ vs VTI Performance
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) is an ETF from Zacks and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIZ returned +11.79% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SMIZ is up 11.18% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, SMIZ compounded at +20.58% per year against +20.87% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 12.8% 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 -25.0% for SMIZ 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
SMIZ 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, SMIZ currently yields 0.55% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 79.6% of SMIZ'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 SMIZ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, SMIZ as of Aug 18, 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.
177 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 203 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMIZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 1.62% | 0.05% | 1.57% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc. | 1.05% | 0.25% | 0.80% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 1.09% | 0.10% | 0.99% |
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 0.97% | 0.15% | 0.82% |
| VSTSVestis Corp | 1.11% | 0.00% | 1.11% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 1.03% | 0.04% | 0.99% |
| EXPEExpedia Group Inc. | 0.99% | 0.04% | 0.95% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp. | 0.68% | 0.30% | 0.38% |
| EXPDExpeditors International Of Washington Inc | 0.92% | 0.03% | 0.89% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corp | 0.90% | 0.04% | 0.86% |
79.6% of SMIZ 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, SMIZ or VTI?
SMIZ 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, SMIZ or VTI?
Over the past year SMIZ returned +11.79% 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, SMIZ or VTI?
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 12.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMIZ -25.0% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SMIZ and VTI?
SMIZ 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 SMIZ and VTI?
At least 79.6% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 177 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIZ or VTI?
SMIZ yields 0.55% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMIZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.