SMU vs VTI
Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMU or VTI?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | SMU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $48M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 4 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -63.04% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -95.09% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 168.5% | 12.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.2% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $336 | $12,471Best |
| Fund Family | Tradr ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.2 years).
SMU 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
SMU vs VTI Performance
Tradr 2X Long SMR Daily ETF (SMU) is an ETF from Tradr ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMU returned -95.09% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SMU is down 63.04% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 168.5% compared with 12.2% 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 -98.2% for SMU and -8.9% 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 -0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMU charges 1.30% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $130 vs $3 annually, a gap of $127 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMU currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SMU and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 117.7% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, SMU as of Aug 31, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in SMU and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 4 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMRNuscale Power Corp Cl A | 117.65% | 0.00% | 117.65% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMU and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SMU or VTI?
SMU has an expense ratio of 1.30% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $127 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMU or VTI?
Over the past year SMU returned -95.09% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SMU annualized -94.09% vs +20.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMU or VTI?
SMU has been the more volatile fund at 168.5% annualized versus 12.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMU -98.2% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both SMU and VTI?
SMU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.03, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMU or VTI?
SMU yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.