VTI vs VUSE
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Vident US Equity Strategy ETF
Which is better, VTI or VUSE?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Value.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VUSE is less concentrated, with 27.4% 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 | VTI | VUSE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $679M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.45% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 128 |
| YTD Return | +12.30%Best | +9.43% |
| 1Y Return | +16.08%Best | +8.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.01%Best | +15.39% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.36%Best | +12.19% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 17.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.0%Best | -45.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,908Best | $17,773 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3% | 27.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vident Financial |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Value |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Jan 22, 2014 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 22, 2014 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.7 years).
VTI vs VUSE 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
VTI vs VUSE Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vident US Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) is an ETF from Vident Financial. Over the past year VTI returned +16.08% while VUSE returned +8.28%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.30% versus a gain of 9.43% for VUSE.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +21.01% per year against +15.39% for VUSE; over five years the annualized figures are +12.36% and +12.19% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.03% annualized vs +9.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 15.0% 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 -35.0% for VTI and -45.5% for VUSE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while VUSE charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $50 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.45% for VUSE.
Holdings Overlap
47.1% of VTI's money is in holdings VUSE also owns. 98.2% of VUSE's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of VUSE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
120 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 123 in VUSE, against full books of 3,543 and 128.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for VUSE that do not appear in our book for VTI (1.7% of the fund), and 1,046 for VTI that do not appear in VUSE (50.4%).
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 VTI | Weight in VUSE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.40% | 2.70% | 3.70% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.29% | 2.63% | 3.66% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.79% | 2.56% | 2.23% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.65% | 2.44% | 1.21% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.90% | 3.04% | 0.14% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.56% | 2.57% | 0.01% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.29% | 3.30% | 2.01% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.70% | 2.66% | 0.96% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.35% | 2.92% | 1.57% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.31% | 2.51% | 1.20% |
98.2% of VUSE 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, VTI or VUSE?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUSE charges 0.50%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or VUSE?
Over the past year VTI returned +16.08% vs +8.28% for VUSE, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), VTI annualized +12.03% vs +9.17% for VUSE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or VUSE?
VUSE has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -35.0% vs VUSE -45.5%.
Should I hold both VTI and VUSE?
VTI and VUSE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 VTI and VUSE?
98.2% of VUSE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 98.2% of VUSE's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 120 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 123 in VUSE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or VUSE?
VTI yields 1.03% while VUSE yields 0.45%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUSE better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VUSE is less concentrated, with 27.4% 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.