TUG vs VTI
STF Tactical Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TUG or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. TUG led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.4%.
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 | TUG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $33M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 104 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +15.21%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +20.12%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.94%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.3% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $19,846 | $20,101Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Shelton Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 18, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 20, 2022 to Sep 16, 2026 (4.3 years).
TUG 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 4.3 years both funds cover.
TUG vs VTI Performance
STF Tactical Growth ETF (TUG) is an ETF from Shelton Capital Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TUG returned +20.12% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, TUG is up 15.21% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, TUG compounded at +20.94% per year against +20.48% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +17.63% annualized vs +17.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 15.6% 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 -22.3% for TUG and -19.3% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TUG charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TUG currently yields 1.94% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.6% of TUG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.2% of VTI's money is in holdings TUG also owns.
Most of TUG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
92 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in TUG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 104 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,058 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for TUG (50.3% of the fund), and 4 for TUG that do not appear in VTI (1.1%).
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 TUG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 9.29% | 6.40% | 2.89% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.15% | 6.29% | 1.86% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.37% | 4.79% | 1.58% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.64% | 3.65% | 0.99% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 5.63% | 1.29% | 4.34% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.36% | 2.90% | 0.46% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.88% | 2.56% | 0.32% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.08% | 2.31% | 0.77% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.65% | 1.08% | 2.57% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.33% | 1.70% | 0.63% |
95.6% of TUG 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, TUG or VTI?
TUG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TUG or VTI?
Over the past year TUG returned +20.12% vs +15.41% for VTI, so TUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), TUG annualized +17.28% vs +17.63% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TUG or VTI?
TUG has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TUG -22.3% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both TUG and VTI?
TUG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 TUG and VTI?
95.6% of TUG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.2% of VTI's is in holdings TUG also owns. They hold 92 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in TUG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TUG or VTI?
TUG yields 1.94% while VTI yields 1.03%, so TUG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TUG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. TUG led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.