SPAM vs VTI
Themes Cybersecurity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SPAM or VTI?
SPAM has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SPAM 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 | SPAM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 45 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +41.90%Best | +11.65% |
| 1Y Return | +29.71%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.0% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $17,339Best | $17,041 |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2023 to Sep 10, 2026 (2.8 years).
SPAM 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
SPAM vs VTI Performance
Themes Cybersecurity ETF (SPAM) is an ETF from Themes ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPAM returned +29.71% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, SPAM is up 41.90% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPAM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 12.1% 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 -24.0% for SPAM 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPAM 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, SPAM currently yields 0.33% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 68.8% of SPAM'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.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, SPAM 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.
21 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in SPAM and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 45 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPAM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZSZscaler, Inc | 5.36% | 0.02% | 5.34% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks Inc. | 4.89% | 0.38% | 4.51% |
| RBRKRubrik Inc Class A Shares | 4.99% | 0.02% | 4.97% |
| BAHBooz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | 4.99% | 0.00% | 4.99% |
| CRWVCoreweave | 4.91% | 0.05% | 4.86% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc. Class A | 4.67% | 0.25% | 4.42% |
| SSentinelOne Inc | 4.33% | 0.00% | 4.33% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc. | 4.15% | 0.13% | 4.02% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 4.07% | 0.03% | 4.04% |
| AKAMAkamai Technologies Inc. | 4.05% | 0.02% | 4.03% |
68.8% of SPAM 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, SPAM or VTI?
SPAM 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, SPAM or VTI?
Over the past year SPAM returned +29.71% vs +17.34% for VTI, so SPAM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPAM or VTI?
SPAM has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 12.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SPAM -24.0% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SPAM and VTI?
SPAM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 SPAM and VTI?
At least 68.8% of SPAM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in SPAM and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPAM or VTI?
SPAM yields 0.33% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SPAM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SPAM 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.