UPSD vs VTI
Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UPSD or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. UPSD is less concentrated, with 25.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | UPSD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $123M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 103 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.45%Best | +12.28% |
| 1Y Return | +15.23% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,973 | $12,957Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.8 years).
UPSD 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
UPSD vs VTI Performance
Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF (UPSD) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPSD returned +15.23% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, UPSD is up 12.45% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPSD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 12.9% 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 -23.9% for UPSD 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPSD charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UPSD currently yields 0.63% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.1% of UPSD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 50.1% of VTI's money is in holdings UPSD also owns.
Most of UPSD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
98 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in UPSD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 103 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,052 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for UPSD (47.3% of the fund), and 0 for UPSD that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 UPSD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.17% | 6.40% | 1.23% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.84% | 6.29% | 1.45% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.38% | 4.79% | 1.41% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.89% | 3.65% | 1.76% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.53% | 2.90% | 1.37% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.52% | 2.31% | 0.79% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.85% | 2.56% | 1.71% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.99% | 1.29% | 0.70% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.30% | 1.35% | 0.05% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.43% | 0.89% | 0.54% |
95.1% of UPSD 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, UPSD or VTI?
UPSD has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPSD or VTI?
Over the past year UPSD returned +15.23% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), UPSD annualized +10.52% vs +15.48% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPSD or VTI?
UPSD has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 12.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UPSD -23.9% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both UPSD and VTI?
UPSD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 UPSD and VTI?
95.1% of UPSD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 50.1% of VTI's is in holdings UPSD also owns. They hold 98 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in UPSD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPSD or VTI?
UPSD yields 0.63% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UPSD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. UPSD is less concentrated, with 25.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.