VTI vs WDAF
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VTI or WDAF?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.1%.
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 | WDAF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $690.1B | $10M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.12% |
| Holdings | 3,524 | 69 |
| YTD Return | +13.35%Best | +7.68% |
| 1Y Return | +15.92%Best | -0.54% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.41% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.83% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 33.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -28.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,907Best | $10,112 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3%Best | 63.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.1 years).
VTI vs WDAF 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
VTI vs WDAF Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund ETF (WDAF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VTI returned +15.92% while WDAF returned -0.54%. Year to date, VTI is up 13.35% versus a gain of 7.68% for WDAF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.5% compared with 12.5% 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 -8.9% for VTI and -28.2% for WDAF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while WDAF charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $45 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.12% for WDAF.
Holdings Overlap
8.7% of WDAF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
WDAF and VTI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, VTI as of Jul 31, 2026 and WDAF as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 59 in WDAF, against full books of 3,524 and 69.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for WDAF that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.3% of the fund), and 1,149 for VTI that do not appear in WDAF (97.4%).
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 WDAF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.03% | 8.72% | 8.69% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and WDAF 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 WDAF?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while WDAF charges 0.45%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or WDAF?
Over the past year VTI returned +15.92% vs -0.54% for WDAF, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VTI annualized +17.20% vs +1.02% for WDAF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or WDAF?
WDAF has been the more volatile fund at 33.5% annualized versus 12.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -8.9% vs WDAF -28.2%.
Should I hold both VTI and WDAF?
VTI and WDAF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 VTI and WDAF?
8.7% of WDAF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.7% of WDAF's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 59 in WDAF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or WDAF?
VTI yields 1.03% while WDAF yields 0.12%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDAF better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.