THRO vs VTI
iShares US Thematic Rotation Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, THRO or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. THRO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.0%.
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 | THRO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.57% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.25% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 244 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.98%Best | +12.30% |
| 1Y Return | +17.01%Best | +16.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.05%Best | +21.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.5% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.8 years | $18,210Best | $17,059 |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 14, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 16, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.8 years).
THRO 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 4.8 years both funds cover.
THRO vs VTI Performance
iShares US Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year THRO returned +17.01% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, THRO is up 13.98% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, THRO compounded at +23.05% per year against +21.01% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
THRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% 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 -26.5% for THRO and -25.4% 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
THRO charges 0.57% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $57 vs $3 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, THRO currently yields 0.25% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.7% of THRO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 66.7% of VTI's money is in holdings THRO also owns.
Most of THRO is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
237 positions in common, counted across the 248 positions we hold weights for in THRO and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 244 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 923 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for THRO (30.8% of the fund), and 4 for THRO that do not appear in VTI (1.3%).
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 THRO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.26% | 6.40% | 1.86% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.87% | 6.29% | 1.58% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.55% | 4.79% | 1.76% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.76% | 3.65% | 1.11% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.73% | 2.90% | 0.83% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.40% | 2.56% | 0.16% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.87% | 2.31% | 0.44% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.77% | 1.31% | 1.46% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.23% | 1.29% | 0.94% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.29% | 0.89% | 1.40% |
97.7% of THRO 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, THRO or VTI?
THRO has an expense ratio of 0.57% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, THRO or VTI?
Over the past year THRO returned +17.01% vs +16.08% for VTI, so THRO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, THRO or VTI?
THRO has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: THRO -26.5% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both THRO and VTI?
THRO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 THRO and VTI?
97.7% of THRO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 66.7% of VTI's is in holdings THRO also owns. They hold 237 positions in common, counted across the 248 positions we hold weights for in THRO and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, THRO or VTI?
THRO yields 0.25% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than THRO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. THRO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.