TMF vs VTI

TMF vs VTI

Which is better, TMF or VTI?

Trading-Leveraged Debt against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

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

MetricTMFVTI
Expense Ratio0.90%0.03%Best
AUM$2.2B$666.9B
Dividend Yield4.69%1.03%
Holdings143,543
YTD Return-18.78%+12.30%Best
1Y Return-24.05%+16.08%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-16.76%+21.01%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-35.73%+12.36%Best
Volatility (annualized)40.6%14.8%Best
Max Drawdown-93.7%-35.0%Best
$10,000 over 5 years$1,097$17,908Best
Fund FamilyDirexion Shares ETF TrustVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleTrading-Leveraged DebtLarge Cap Blend
InceptionApr 16, 2009May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 16, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (17.4 years).

TMF 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 17.4 years both funds cover.

TMF vs VTI Performance

Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TMF returned -24.05% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, TMF is down 18.78% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.

Over three years, TMF compounded at -16.76% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -35.73% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.69% annualized vs -8.11%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

TMF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.6% compared with 14.8% 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 -93.7% for TMF 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 -0.10. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

TMF charges 0.90% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $3 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TMF currently yields 4.69% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 4 holdings in TMF and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 98.3% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in TMF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 14 and 3,543.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of TMF and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

TMFVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, TMF or VTI?

TMF has an expense ratio of 0.90% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, TMF or VTI?

Over the past year TMF returned -24.05% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), TMF annualized -8.11% vs +13.69% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, TMF or VTI?

TMF has been the more volatile fund at 40.6% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TMF -93.7% vs VTI -35.0%.

Should I hold both TMF and VTI?

TMF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.10, 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, TMF or VTI?

TMF yields 4.69% while VTI yields 1.03%, so TMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than TMF?

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.