VAW vs VTI
Vanguard Materials ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VAW or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VAW led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.9%.
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 | VAW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.1B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.39% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 114 | 3,542 |
| YTD Return | +9.19%Best | +8.54% |
| 1Y Return | +20.14%Best | +11.14% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.36% | +20.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.02% | +9.84%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.5% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,775 | $15,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.9% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Nov 6, 2026 (22.8 years).
VAW 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 22.8 years both funds cover.
VAW vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VAW returned +20.14% while VTI returned +11.14%. Year to date, VAW is up 9.19% versus a gain of 8.54% for VTI.
Over three years, VAW compounded at +12.36% per year against +20.29% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.02% and +9.84% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.04% annualized vs +7.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VAW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% 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 -63.5% for VAW 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VAW charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VAW currently yields 1.39% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.0% of VAW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.9% of VTI's money is in holdings VAW also owns.
Most of VAW is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
102 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in VAW and 3,464 in VTI, against full books of 114 and 3,542.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,079 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VAW (95.1% of the fund), and 4 for VAW that do not appear in VTI (1.6%).
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 VAW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 15.25% | 0.30% | 14.95% |
| NEMNewmont Corp. | 8.47% | 0.17% | 8.30% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 6.99% | 0.14% | 6.85% |
| SHWSherwin Williams Co/The | 5.12% | 0.11% | 5.01% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 4.83% | 0.09% | 4.74% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals Inc. | 4.03% | 0.08% | 3.95% |
| CRHCrh Plc - Common | 3.84% | 0.08% | 3.76% |
| CTVACorteva Inc Ctva | 3.61% | 0.07% | 3.54% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 3.60% | 0.07% | 3.53% |
| VMCVulcan Materials Co. | 2.20% | 0.04% | 2.16% |
96.0% of VAW 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, VAW or VTI?
VAW has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VAW or VTI?
Over the past year VAW returned +20.14% vs +11.14% for VTI, so VAW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VAW annualized +7.42% vs +9.04% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VAW or VTI?
VAW has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 15.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VAW -63.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VAW and VTI?
VAW 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 VAW and VTI?
96.0% of VAW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.9% of VTI's is in holdings VAW also owns. They hold 102 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in VAW and 3,464 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VAW or VTI?
VAW yields 1.39% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VAW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VAW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VAW led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.