STEW vs VTI
SRH Total Return Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, STEW or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | STEW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.28% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.20% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 24 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.61% | +12.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.57% | +19.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.07% | +20.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.04% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,134 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Paralel Advisors LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2002 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 8, 2026 (25.3 years).
STEW 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
STEW vs VTI Performance
SRH Total Return Fund (STEW) is an ETF from Paralel Advisors LLC and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STEW returned +3.57% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, STEW is up 2.61% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, STEW compounded at +15.07% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.04% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.07% annualized vs +3.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 15.3% 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 -78.2% for STEW and -56.6% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STEW charges 2.28% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $228 vs $3 annually, a gap of $225 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STEW currently yields 3.20% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 23 holdings in STEW and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 111.3% and 92.3% 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, 17 positions appear in both.
17 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in STEW and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 24 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in STEW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 14.28% | 1.11% | 13.17% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B | 5.53% | 1.24% | 4.29% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 5.59% | 0.57% | 5.02% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.30% | 3.81% | 1.51% |
| EVREvercore Inc | 4.75% | 0.02% | 4.73% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 4.07% | 0.67% | 3.40% |
| EBAYEbay Inc | 3.30% | 0.07% | 3.23% |
| SCHWCharles Schwab Corp. | 3.04% | 0.21% | 2.83% |
| TRVTravelers Cos., Inc. | 2.98% | 0.10% | 2.88% |
| YUMYum! Brands, Inc. | 2.92% | 0.06% | 2.86% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STEW 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, STEW or VTI?
STEW has an expense ratio of 2.28% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $225 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STEW or VTI?
Over the past year STEW returned +3.57% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), STEW annualized +3.92% vs +8.07% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STEW or VTI?
STEW has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: STEW -78.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both STEW and VTI?
STEW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, STEW or VTI?
STEW yields 3.20% while VTI yields 1.07%, so STEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than STEW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.