VHT vs VTI
Vanguard Health Care ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VHT or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VHT led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%.
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 | VHT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $20.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 427 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.58% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.35%Best | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.28% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.69% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.9%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,188 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large 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 Sep 17, 2026 (22.6 years).
VHT 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
VHT vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VHT returned +26.35% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, VHT is up 10.58% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, VHT compounded at +11.28% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.69% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.26% annualized vs +8.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 13.9% for VHT. 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 -40.9% for VHT 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VHT 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, VHT currently yields 1.48% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.3% of VHT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.3% of VTI's money is in holdings VHT also owns.
Most of VHT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
390 positions in common, counted across the 405 positions we hold weights for in VHT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 427 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,012 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VHT (88.2% of the fund), and 8 for VHT that do not appear in VTI (0.2%).
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 VHT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 13.40% | 1.35% | 12.05% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 8.84% | 0.86% | 7.98% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 6.45% | 0.61% | 5.84% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 5.46% | 0.52% | 4.94% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.68% | 0.45% | 4.23% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 3.10% | 0.30% | 2.80% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 3.02% | 0.29% | 2.73% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.67% | 0.26% | 2.41% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 2.35% | 0.22% | 2.13% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 2.07% | 0.20% | 1.87% |
99.3% of VHT 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, VHT or VTI?
VHT 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, VHT or VTI?
Over the past year VHT returned +26.35% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VHT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VHT annualized +8.88% vs +9.26% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VHT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 13.9% for VHT. Worst drawdown: VHT -40.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VHT and VTI?
VHT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 VHT and VTI?
99.3% of VHT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.3% of VTI's is in holdings VHT also owns. They hold 390 positions in common, counted across the 405 positions we hold weights for in VHT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VHT or VTI?
VHT yields 1.48% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VHT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VHT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VHT led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.