VTI vs WTMU
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal Fund ETF
Which is better, VTI or WTMU?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | WTMU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $9M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 3.22% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 89 |
| YTD Return | +12.30%Best | -2.36% |
| 1Y Return | +16.08%Best | -1.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.01% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.36% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1% | 3.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -4.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $14,582Best | $10,323 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Apr 3, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
VTI vs WTMU 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
VTI vs WTMU Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Core Laddered Municipal Fund ETF (WTMU) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VTI returned +16.08% while WTMU returned -1.12%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.30% versus a loss of 2.36% for WTMU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 3.7% for WTMU. 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 -4.3% for WTMU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while WTMU charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $25 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 3.22% for WTMU.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and WTMU 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 WTMU?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while WTMU charges 0.25%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or WTMU?
Over the past year VTI returned +16.08% vs -1.12% for WTMU, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VTI annualized +28.59% vs +2.14% for WTMU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or WTMU?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 3.7% for WTMU. Worst drawdown: VTI -8.9% vs WTMU -4.3%.
Should I hold both VTI and WTMU?
VTI and WTMU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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 WTMU?
VTI yields 1.03% while WTMU yields 3.22%, so WTMU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WTMU better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.