VTI vs VUSB
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Vanguard Ultra Short Bond ETF
Which is better, VTI or VUSB?
Large Cap Blend against Ultrashort Term Bond.
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 | VTI | VUSB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.10% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $10.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 4.31% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 1,346 |
| YTD Return | +11.06%Best | -0.62% |
| 1Y Return | +15.41%Best | +0.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48%Best | +4.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.52%Best | +2.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 1.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.4% | -1.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,249Best | $11,587 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Apr 5, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5.4 years).
VTI vs VUSB 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
VTI vs VUSB Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Ultra Short Bond ETF (VUSB) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTI returned +15.41% while VUSB returned +0.69%. Year to date, VTI is up 11.06% versus a loss of 0.62% for VUSB.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.48% per year against +4.18% for VUSB; over five years the annualized figures are +11.52% and +2.99% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 1.2% for VUSB. 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 -25.4% for VTI and -1.8% for VUSB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while VUSB charges 0.10%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $10 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 4.31% for VUSB.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings VUSB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VUSB, our book for it covers 1.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 3 in VUSB, against full books of 3,543 and 1,346.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTI | Weight in VUSB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.07% | 0.83% | 0.76% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and VUSB 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, VTI or VUSB?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUSB charges 0.10%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or VUSB?
Over the past year VTI returned +15.41% vs +0.69% for VUSB, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or VUSB?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 1.2% for VUSB. Worst drawdown: VTI -25.4% vs VUSB -1.8%.
Should I hold both VTI and VUSB?
VTI and VUSB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or VUSB?
VTI yields 1.03% while VUSB yields 4.31%, so VUSB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUSB better than VTI?
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.