SMLV vs VTI
State Street SPDR US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMLV or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMLV led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMLV is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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 | SMLV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $254M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 401 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.64%Best | +12.43% |
| 1Y Return | +19.25%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.19% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.81% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,253 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.9%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 20, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 21, 2013 to Sep 28, 2026 (13.6 years).
SMLV 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 13.6 years both funds cover.
SMLV vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMLV returned +19.25% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, SMLV is up 16.64% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, SMLV compounded at +18.19% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.81% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.94% annualized vs +8.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 14.7% 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 -42.9% for SMLV 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMLV charges 0.12% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $3 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMLV currently yields 2.24% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.0% of SMLV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.0% of VTI's money is in holdings SMLV also owns.
Most of SMLV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
373 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in SMLV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 401 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,056 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SMLV (96.5% of the fund), and 16 for SMLV that do not appear in VTI (3.6%).
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 SMLV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAFTSafety Insurance Group | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.66% |
| CHCOCity Holding Co Common Stock Usd2.5 | 0.63% | 0.00% | 0.63% |
| HMNHORACE MANN EDUCATORS | 0.63% | 0.00% | 0.63% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 0.62% | 0.00% | 0.62% |
| PECOPhillips Edison & Company Inc. | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| NEWNorthwestern Ene | 0.57% | 0.01% | 0.56% |
| CHEChemed Corp | 0.54% | 0.01% | 0.53% |
| BATRKAtlanta Braves Holdings | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.53% |
| CTBICommunity Trust Bancorp, Inc. | 0.52% | 0.00% | 0.52% |
| SIGISelective Insurance Group Inc | 0.51% | 0.01% | 0.50% |
95.0% of SMLV 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, SMLV or VTI?
SMLV has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMLV or VTI?
Over the past year SMLV returned +19.25% vs +15.92% for VTI, so SMLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), SMLV annualized +8.23% vs +12.94% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMLV or VTI?
SMLV has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 14.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMLV -42.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SMLV and VTI?
SMLV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 SMLV and VTI?
95.0% of SMLV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.0% of VTI's is in holdings SMLV also owns. They hold 373 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in SMLV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMLV or VTI?
SMLV yields 2.24% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SMLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMLV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMLV led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMLV is less concentrated, with 5.9% 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.