VTI vs XFLT
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust
Which is better, VTI or XFLT?
Large Cap Blend against Bank Loan.
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 | XFLT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 6.29% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $347M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 15.04% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +12.57%Best | -0.94% |
| 1Y Return | +17.22%Best | -11.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.87%Best | -1.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.86%Best | -0.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 25.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.0%Best | -64.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,514Best | $9,743 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | XA Investments LLC |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Bank Loan |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Sep 27, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 27, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9 years).
VTI vs XFLT 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 9 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XFLT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust (XFLT) is an ETF from XA Investments LLC. Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% while XFLT returned -11.58%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.57% versus a loss of 0.94% for XFLT.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.87% per year against -1.64% for XFLT; over five years the annualized figures are +11.86% and -0.52% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.68% annualized vs -1.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XFLT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.6% compared with 16.6% 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 -64.6% for XFLT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while XFLT charges 6.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $629 annually, a gap of $626 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 15.04% for XFLT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2,787 holdings in VTI and 150 in XFLT, totalling 90.6% and 46.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, VTI as of Jun 30, 2026 and XFLT as of Mar 31, 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 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 150 in XFLT, against full books of 3,543 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTI | Weight in XFLT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPGRram 2023-25A Sub % | 0.04% | 1.15% | 1.11% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and XFLT 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 XFLT?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XFLT charges 6.29%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $626 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XFLT?
Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% vs -11.58% for XFLT, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VTI annualized +13.68% vs -1.22% for XFLT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XFLT?
XFLT has been the more volatile fund at 25.6% annualized versus 16.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -35.0% vs XFLT -64.6%.
Should I hold both VTI and XFLT?
VTI and XFLT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 XFLT?
VTI yields 1.03% while XFLT yields 15.04%, so XFLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XFLT 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.