VTI vs XTN
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Transportation ETF
Which is better, VTI or XTN?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XTN over 1Y. XTN is less concentrated, with 30.2% 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 | XTN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $666.9B | $348M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.70% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 44 |
| YTD Return | +14.05%Best | +9.38% |
| 1Y Return | +16.93% | +19.64%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.65%Best | +11.21% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.46%Best | +4.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 23.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.0%Best | -44.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,988Best | $12,237 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.3% | 30.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (15.7 years).
VTI vs XTN 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
VTI vs XTN Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VTI returned +16.93% while XTN returned +19.64%. Year to date, VTI is up 14.05% versus a gain of 9.38% for XTN.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +22.65% per year against +11.21% for XTN; over five years the annualized figures are +12.46% and +4.12% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.29% annualized vs +9.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XTN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -44.9% for XTN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while XTN 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 0.70% for XTN.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of VTI's money is in holdings XTN also owns. 95.5% of XTN's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of XTN is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
41 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 44 in XTN, against full books of 3,543 and 44.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 3,463 and 44 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,123 positions XTN does not, 96.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTI | Weight in XTN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYFTLyft Inc. Class A | 0.01% | 3.40% | 3.39% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.24% | 3.02% | 2.78% |
| UBERUber Technologies Inc | 0.20% | 2.96% | 2.76% |
| MATXMatson Inc | 0.01% | 3.13% | 3.12% |
| EXPDExpeditors International Of Washington Inc | 0.03% | 3.10% | 3.07% |
| NSCNorfolk Southern Corp | 0.10% | 2.98% | 2.88% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.13% | 2.93% | 2.80% |
| SKYWSkywest Inc | 0.01% | 2.99% | 2.98% |
| UALUnited Airlines Holdings Inc. | 0.05% | 2.83% | 2.78% |
| FDXFedex Corp | 0.09% | 2.76% | 2.67% |
95.5% of XTN 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 XTN?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while XTN charges 0.35%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or XTN?
Over the past year VTI returned +16.93% vs +19.64% for XTN, so XTN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VTI annualized +12.29% vs +9.46% for XTN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or XTN?
XTN has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -35.0% vs XTN -44.9%.
Should I hold both VTI and XTN?
VTI and XTN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 XTN?
95.5% of XTN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 95.5% of XTN's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 44 in XTN.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or XTN?
VTI yields 1.03% while XTN yields 0.70%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XTN better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XTN over 1Y. XTN is less concentrated, with 30.2% 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.