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, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | $905M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 655 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +22.39%Best | +12.95% |
| 1Y Return | +30.17%Best | +19.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.22%Best | +20.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.73%Best | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,879Best | $17,404 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 13, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2018 to Sep 8, 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 +30.17% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, VFMF is up 22.39% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, VFMF compounded at +22.22% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.73% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.29% annualized vs +12.58%.
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 1.35% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 81.1% of VFMF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VFMF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
482 positions in common, counted across the 636 positions we hold weights for in VFMF and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 655 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VFMF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.02% | 6.32% | 6.30% |
| AAPLApple Inc Ord | 0.18% | 5.84% | 5.66% |
| GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A | 0.48% | 2.88% | 2.40% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.13% | 3.17% | 3.04% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.89% | 1.79% | 0.90% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc., Class C | 0.26% | 2.27% | 2.01% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 0.39% | 1.11% | 0.72% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.68% | 0.61% | 0.07% |
| LRCXLam Resh Corp | 0.52% | 0.74% | 0.22% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp | 0.48% | 0.78% | 0.30% |
81.1% 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 +30.17% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VFMF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VFMF annualized +12.58% vs +13.29% 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?
At least 81.1% of VFMF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 482 positions in common, counted across the 636 positions we hold weights for in VFMF and 2,788 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VFMF or VTI?
VFMF yields 1.35% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VFMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VFMF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.