TMFS vs VTI
Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TMFS or VTI?
Small 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 | TMFS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 35 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -4.05% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.06% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.75% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.78% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.9% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,685 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | Motley Fool Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 30, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 30, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (7.9 years).
TMFS 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
TMFS vs VTI Performance
Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) is an ETF from Motley Fool Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TMFS returned -6.06% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, TMFS is down 4.05% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, TMFS compounded at +5.75% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -2.78% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.73% annualized vs +7.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TMFS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% compared with 17.2% 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 -48.8% for TMFS 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TMFS charges 0.85% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $3 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TMFS currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VTI's money is in holdings TMFS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for TMFS, our book for it covers 93.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
33 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in TMFS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 35 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TMFS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| QTWOQ2 Holdings, Inc. | 5.28% | 0.01% | 5.27% |
| SNEXStonex Group Inc | 4.75% | 0.01% | 4.74% |
| HRIHerc Holdings Inc Com | 4.42% | 0.01% | 4.41% |
| GSHDGoosehead Insurance Inc | 4.30% | 0.00% | 4.30% |
| HQYHealthequity Inc | 4.28% | 0.01% | 4.27% |
| NOGNorthern Oil And Gas Inc | 4.25% | 0.00% | 4.25% |
| UFPTUfp Technologies Inc | 4.16% | 0.00% | 4.16% |
| ATECAlphatec Holdings Inc | 3.98% | 0.00% | 3.98% |
| TOSTToast Inc | 3.89% | 0.02% | 3.87% |
| GXOGXO Logistics, Inc. | 3.89% | 0.01% | 3.88% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TMFS 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, TMFS or VTI?
TMFS has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TMFS or VTI?
Over the past year TMFS returned -6.06% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), TMFS annualized +7.70% vs +14.73% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TMFS or VTI?
TMFS has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 17.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TMFS -48.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both TMFS and VTI?
TMFS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, TMFS or VTI?
TMFS yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TMFS?
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.