THEQ vs VTI
T. Rowe Price Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, THEQ or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 90.2%.
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 | THEQ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 120 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.84% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.08% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2%Best | 12.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1%Best | -12.6% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,103 | $13,645Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 90.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | T.Rowe Price | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 27, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026 (1.5 years).
THEQ 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
THEQ vs VTI Performance
T. Rowe Price Hedged Equity ETF (THEQ) is an ETF from T.Rowe Price and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year THEQ returned +9.08% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, THEQ is up 6.84% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.0% compared with 8.2% for THEQ. 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 -8.1% for THEQ and -12.6% 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 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
THEQ charges 0.46% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $3 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, THEQ currently yields 0.73% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.9% of THEQ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.2% of VTI's money is in holdings THEQ also owns.
Most of THEQ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
105 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in THEQ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 120 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,046 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for THEQ (50.3% of the fund), and 1 for THEQ that do not appear in VTI (0.1%).
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 THEQ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANETArista Networks Inc. | 82.17% | 0.27% | 81.90% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.23% | 6.40% | 6.17% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.07% | 6.29% | 6.22% |
| WECWec Energy Group Inc. | 5.94% | 0.05% | 5.89% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.27% | 4.79% | 4.52% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.08% | 2.56% | 2.48% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 0.10% | 2.31% | 2.21% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.04% | 1.70% | 1.66% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.03% | 1.35% | 1.32% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 0.09% | 1.28% | 1.19% |
98.9% of THEQ 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, THEQ or VTI?
THEQ has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, THEQ or VTI?
Over the past year THEQ returned +9.08% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), THEQ annualized +13.57% vs +23.02% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, THEQ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 8.2% for THEQ. Worst drawdown: THEQ -8.1% vs VTI -12.6%.
Should I hold both THEQ and VTI?
THEQ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 THEQ and VTI?
98.9% of THEQ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.2% of VTI's is in holdings THEQ also owns. They hold 105 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in THEQ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, THEQ or VTI?
THEQ yields 0.73% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than THEQ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 90.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.