VTI vs YQQQ
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF
Which is better, VTI or YQQQ?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.85, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | YQQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 1.11% |
| AUM | $690.1B | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 29.67% |
| Holdings | 3,524 | 26 |
| YTD Return | +13.83%Best | -2.32% |
| 1Y Return | +15.70%Best | +0.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.56% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.44% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -29.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $14,197Best | $8,519 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Aug 14, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 15, 2024 to Oct 8, 2026 (2.1 years).
VTI vs YQQQ 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
VTI vs YQQQ Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year VTI returned +15.70% while YQQQ returned +0.67%. Year to date, VTI is up 13.83% versus a loss of 2.32% for YQQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YQQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -19.3% for VTI and -29.1% for YQQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.85. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while YQQQ charges 1.11%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $111 annually, a gap of $108 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 29.67% for YQQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,463 holdings in VTI and 2 in YQQQ, totalling 98.1% and 17.4% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, VTI as of Jul 31, 2026 and YQQQ as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 2 in YQQQ, against full books of 3,524 and 26.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and YQQQ 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 YQQQ?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while YQQQ charges 1.11%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $108 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or YQQQ?
Over the past year VTI returned +15.70% vs +0.67% for YQQQ, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VTI annualized +18.16% vs -7.35% for YQQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or YQQQ?
YQQQ has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 12.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -19.3% vs YQQQ -29.1%.
Should I hold both VTI and YQQQ?
VTI and YQQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.85, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or YQQQ?
VTI yields 1.03% while YQQQ yields 29.67%, so YQQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YQQQ better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.85, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.