SMMD vs VTI
iShares Russell 2500 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMMD or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMMD led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%.
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 | SMMD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 520 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.79%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +17.12%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.27% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.74% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,517 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2017 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.2 years).
SMMD 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
SMMD vs VTI Performance
iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMMD returned +17.12% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, SMMD is up 14.79% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, SMMD compounded at +17.27% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.74% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.69% annualized vs +9.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 16.4% 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 -41.1% for SMMD 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMMD charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMMD currently yields 1.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
57.1% of SMMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 5.9% of VTI's money is in holdings SMMD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
484 positions in common, counted across the 509 positions we hold weights for in SMMD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 520 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 731 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SMMD (91.6% of the fund), and 12 for SMMD that do not appear in VTI (41.8%).
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 SMMD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATIAti Inc | 0.37% | 0.04% | 0.33% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| THCTenet Healthcare Corp Common Stock Usd 0.05 | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corpcommon Stock | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| SOFISofi Technologies Inc | 0.30% | 0.03% | 0.27% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.30% | 0.02% | 0.28% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.29% | 0.03% | 0.26% |
| ROKURoku, Inc | 0.28% | 0.03% | 0.25% |
57.1% of SMMD 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, SMMD or VTI?
SMMD has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMMD or VTI?
Over the past year SMMD returned +17.12% vs +16.08% for VTI, so SMMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SMMD annualized +9.77% vs +13.69% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMMD or VTI?
SMMD has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 16.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMMD -41.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SMMD and VTI?
SMMD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SMMD and VTI?
57.1% of SMMD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 5.9% of VTI's is in holdings SMMD also owns. They hold 484 positions in common, counted across the 509 positions we hold weights for in SMMD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMMD or VTI?
SMMD yields 1.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SMMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMMD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SMMD led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.