USTB vs VTI
VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USTB or VTI?
Short Term Bond 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 | USTB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.34% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.57% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 604 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.22% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.52% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.65% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.42% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4%Best | 16.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.5%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,831 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Victory Capital Management Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 24, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (8.9 years).
USTB 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
USTB vs VTI Performance
VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) is an ETF from Victory Capital Management Inc. and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USTB returned +2.52% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, USTB is up 1.22% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, USTB compounded at +5.65% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.42% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.54% annualized vs +2.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 2.4% for USTB. 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 -5.5% for USTB 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USTB charges 0.34% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $34 vs $3 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USTB currently yields 4.57% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 251 holdings in USTB and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 79.0% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 59 days apart, USTB as of Aug 28, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 251 positions we hold weights for in USTB and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 604 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USTB 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, USTB or VTI?
USTB has an expense ratio of 0.34% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USTB or VTI?
Over the past year USTB returned +2.52% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), USTB annualized +2.42% vs +13.54% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USTB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 2.4% for USTB. Worst drawdown: USTB -5.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both USTB and VTI?
USTB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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, USTB or VTI?
USTB yields 4.57% while VTI yields 1.03%, so USTB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USTB?
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.