VFMF vs VTI
Vanguard US Multifactor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VFMF or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VFMF is less concentrated, with 9.2% 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 | VFMF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $976M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 655 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +19.12%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +25.43%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.88% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.23%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,449Best | $18,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 13, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2018 to Oct 2, 2026 (8.6 years).
VFMF 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
VFMF vs VTI Performance
Vanguard US Multifactor ETF (VFMF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VFMF returned +25.43% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, VFMF is up 19.12% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, VFMF compounded at +22.88% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.23% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.23% annualized vs +12.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VFMF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% 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 -41.3% for VFMF 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VFMF charges 0.18% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $3 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VFMF currently yields 1.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.9% of VFMF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 39.9% of VTI's money is in holdings VFMF also owns.
Most of VFMF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
607 positions in common, counted across the 654 positions we hold weights for in VFMF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 655 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 836 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VFMF (57.6% of the fund), and 30 for VFMF that do not appear in VTI (3.1%).
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 VFMF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.35% | 6.29% | 5.94% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.13% | 3.65% | 3.52% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.46% | 2.90% | 2.44% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.16% | 2.31% | 2.15% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.96% | 1.29% | 0.33% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.36% | 1.31% | 0.95% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.79% | 0.86% | 0.07% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.72% | 0.89% | 0.17% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.73% | 0.61% | 0.12% |
| VLOValero Energy | 1.03% | 0.13% | 0.90% |
94.9% of VFMF 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, VFMF or VTI?
VFMF has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VFMF or VTI?
Over the past year VFMF returned +25.43% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VFMF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VFMF annualized +12.13% vs +13.23% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VFMF or VTI?
VFMF has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VFMF -41.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VFMF and VTI?
VFMF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VFMF and VTI?
94.9% of VFMF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 39.9% of VTI's is in holdings VFMF also owns. They hold 607 positions in common, counted across the 654 positions we hold weights for in VFMF and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VFMF or VTI?
VFMF yields 1.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VFMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VFMF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VFMF is less concentrated, with 9.2% 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.