VTI vs XRT
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF
Which is better, VTI or XRT?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. XRT is less concentrated, with 18.2% 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 | XRT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $361M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.78% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +13.60%Best | -3.52% |
| 1Y Return | +18.17%Best | -3.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.04%Best | +12.82% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.14%Best | -1.77% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 24.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6%Best | -66.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,734Best | $9,146 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3% | 18.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Jun 19, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2006 to Sep 25, 2026 (20.3 years).
VTI vs XRT 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XRT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VTI returned +18.17% while XRT returned -3.07%. Year to date, VTI is up 13.60% versus a loss of 3.52% for XRT.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +23.04% per year against +12.82% for XRT; over five years the annualized figures are +12.14% and -1.77% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.78% annualized vs +8.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XRT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.7% 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 -56.6% for VTI and -66.2% for XRT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while XRT charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $35 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 0.78% for XRT.
Holdings Overlap
6.2% of VTI's money is in holdings XRT also owns. 98.4% of XRT's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of XRT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
74 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 76 in XRT, against full books of 3,543 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for XRT that do not appear in our book for VTI (1.5% of the fund), and 1,108 for VTI that do not appear in XRT (91.3%).
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 XRT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.65% | 1.50% | 2.15% |
| ANFAbercrombie & Fitch Co. Class A | 0.01% | 2.31% | 2.30% |
| HZOMarinemax Inc | 0.00% | 2.20% | 2.20% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 0.59% | 1.32% | 0.73% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 0.68% | 1.20% | 0.52% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 0.09% | 1.73% | 1.64% |
| GOGrocery Outlet Holding Corp | 0.00% | 1.78% | 1.78% |
| FIVEFive Below | 0.02% | 1.73% | 1.71% |
| KMXCarmax Inc. | 0.01% | 1.74% | 1.73% |
| SBHSally Beauty Holdings, Inc. | 0.00% | 1.72% | 1.72% |
98.4% of XRT 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 XRT?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XRT charges 0.35%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XRT?
Over the past year VTI returned +18.17% vs -3.07% for XRT, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VTI annualized +9.78% vs +8.03% for XRT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XRT?
XRT has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs XRT -66.2%.
Should I hold both VTI and XRT?
VTI and XRT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 XRT?
98.4% of XRT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 98.4% of XRT's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 76 in XRT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or XRT?
VTI yields 1.03% while XRT yields 0.78%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XRT better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. XRT is less concentrated, with 18.2% 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.