USAI vs VTI
Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USAI or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. USAI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%.
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 | USAI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $121M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 37 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +24.30%Best | +11.53% |
| 1Y Return | +25.35%Best | +15.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.16%Best | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.96%Best | +11.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.5% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -69.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,842Best | $17,303 |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2017 to Sep 15, 2026 (8.8 years).
USAI 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 8.8 years both funds cover.
USAI vs VTI Performance
Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF (USAI) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USAI returned +25.35% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, USAI is up 24.30% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, USAI compounded at +24.16% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +19.96% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.10% annualized vs +10.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.5% compared with 16.8% 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 -69.3% for USAI 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USAI charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USAI currently yields 4.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
56.2% of USAI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's money is in holdings USAI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
21 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in USAI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 37 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,136 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for USAI (96.8% of the fund), and 8 for USAI that do not appear in VTI (23.3%).
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 USAI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 8.61% | 0.08% | 8.53% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 6.82% | 0.12% | 6.70% |
| VGVenture Global Inc | 5.19% | 0.00% | 5.19% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 4.66% | 0.05% | 4.61% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 4.44% | 0.08% | 4.36% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 4.43% | 0.08% | 4.35% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 3.99% | 0.08% | 3.91% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 3.23% | 0.03% | 3.20% |
| NEXTNextdecade Corp Common Stock | 2.95% | 0.00% | 2.95% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 1.90% | 0.02% | 1.88% |
56.2% of USAI 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, USAI or VTI?
USAI has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USAI or VTI?
Over the past year USAI returned +25.35% vs +15.74% for VTI, so USAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), USAI annualized +10.93% vs +13.10% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USAI or VTI?
USAI has been the more volatile fund at 28.5% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: USAI -69.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both USAI and VTI?
USAI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 USAI and VTI?
56.2% of USAI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.6% of VTI's is in holdings USAI also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in USAI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, USAI or VTI?
USAI yields 4.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so USAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USAI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. USAI led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.