TBLU vs VTI
Tortoise Global Water Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TBLU or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | TBLU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.47% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 64 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.26% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.55% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.49% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.62% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,380 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Tortoise Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.5 years).
TBLU 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 9.5 years both funds cover.
TBLU vs VTI Performance
Tortoise Global Water Fund (TBLU) is an ETF from Tortoise Capital and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TBLU returned -2.55% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, TBLU is down 0.26% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, TBLU compounded at +10.49% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.62% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.61% annualized vs +8.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TBLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 16.1% 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 -37.6% for TBLU 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TBLU charges 0.40% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $3 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TBLU currently yields 3.47% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 51.4% of TBLU's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% 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 50 days apart, TBLU as of Aug 19, 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.
29 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in TBLU and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 64 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TBLU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 7.90% | 0.10% | 7.80% |
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 7.80% | 0.04% | 7.76% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 7.71% | 0.04% | 7.67% |
| VLTOVeralto Corp | 4.59% | 0.03% | 4.56% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 4.14% | 0.02% | 4.12% |
| WTRGEssential Utilities Inc - Common | 1.98% | 0.01% | 1.97% |
| PNRPentair Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.80% | 0.02% | 1.78% |
| WMSAdvanced Drainag Tm B 1ln 7/26 | 1.78% | 0.02% | 1.76% |
| WTSWatts Water Technologies Inc | 1.75% | 0.01% | 1.74% |
| TTEKIndustrials (continued) Tetra Tech Inc. | 1.62% | 0.01% | 1.61% |
51.4% of TBLU 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, TBLU or VTI?
TBLU has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TBLU or VTI?
Over the past year TBLU returned -2.55% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), TBLU annualized +8.80% vs +13.61% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TBLU or VTI?
TBLU has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TBLU -37.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both TBLU and VTI?
TBLU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 TBLU and VTI?
At least 51.4% of TBLU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in TBLU and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TBLU or VTI?
TBLU yields 3.47% while VTI yields 1.07%, so TBLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TBLU?
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.