UTF vs VTI
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund Inc vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UTF or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
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 | UTF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.42% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3,053.86 | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.97% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 311 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.57% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.52% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.88% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.44% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,032 | $17,576Best |
| Fund Family | Cohen & Steers Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2004 to Sep 17, 2026 (22.5 years).
UTF 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 22.5 years both funds cover.
UTF vs VTI Performance
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund Inc (UTF) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UTF returned +9.52% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, UTF is up 8.57% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, UTF compounded at +14.88% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.44% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +2.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 15.1% 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 -76.7% for UTF and -56.6% 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
UTF charges 3.42% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $342 vs $3 annually, a gap of $339 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UTF currently yields 6.97% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.7% of VTI's money is in holdings UTF also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for UTF, our book for it lists positions totalling 129.0% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VTI and UTF share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, UTF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
33 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in UTF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 311 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 7.03% | 0.25% | 6.78% |
| NINisource Inc. | 4.23% | 0.03% | 4.20% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 3.29% | 0.13% | 3.16% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 3.07% | 0.14% | 2.93% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 3.04% | 0.11% | 2.93% |
| PPLPpl Corp (Utilities) | 2.93% | 0.03% | 2.90% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 2.72% | 0.03% | 2.69% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 2.42% | 0.05% | 2.37% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 2.19% | 0.24% | 1.95% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 2.12% | 0.15% | 1.97% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UTF 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, UTF or VTI?
UTF has an expense ratio of 3.42% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $339 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTF or VTI?
Over the past year UTF returned +9.52% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), UTF annualized +2.94% vs +9.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTF or VTI?
UTF has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 15.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UTF -76.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both UTF and VTI?
UTF 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 UTF and VTI?
At least 2.7% of VTI's money is in holdings UTF also owns. Our book for UTF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in UTF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTF or VTI?
UTF yields 6.97% while VTI yields 1.03%, so UTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UTF?
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.