VTI vs ZALT
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Innovator US Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly
Which is better, VTI or ZALT?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.8%.
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 | ZALT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.69% |
| AUM | $689.2B | $835M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 3,542 | 1,015 |
| YTD Return | +12.23%Best | +6.38% |
| 1Y Return | +12.74%Best | +7.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44%Best | +10.02% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.83% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5% | 3.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3% | -8.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $18,294Best | $13,544 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6%Best | 38.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Oct 2, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 2, 2023 to Nov 11, 2026 (3.1 years).
VTI vs ZALT 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
VTI vs ZALT Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Innovator US Equity 10 Buffer ETF - Quarterly (ZALT) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year VTI returned +12.74% while ZALT returned +7.43%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.23% versus a gain of 6.38% for ZALT.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +21.44% per year against +10.02% for ZALT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 3.8% for ZALT. 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 -8.2% for ZALT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while ZALT charges 0.69%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $69 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.06% against 0.00% for ZALT.
Holdings Overlap
86.8% of VTI's money is in holdings ZALT also owns. 99.0% of ZALT's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Most of ZALT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
489 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 493 in ZALT, against full books of 3,542 and 1,015.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 4 positions for ZALT that do not appear in our book for VTI (0.7% of the fund), and 643 for VTI that do not appear in ZALT (10.1%).
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 ZALT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.13% | 8.05% | 0.92% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.63% | 7.52% | 0.89% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.19% | 5.95% | 0.76% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.30% | 3.75% | 0.45% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.76% | 3.06% | 0.30% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.28% | 2.47% | 0.19% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.18% | 2.45% | 0.27% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.18% | 2.44% | 0.26% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.64% | 1.55% | 0.09% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.36% | 1.55% | 0.19% |
99.0% of ZALT 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 ZALT?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ZALT charges 0.69%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or ZALT?
Over the past year VTI returned +12.74% vs +7.43% for ZALT, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or ZALT?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 3.8% for ZALT. Worst drawdown: VTI -19.3% vs ZALT -8.2%.
Should I hold both VTI and ZALT?
VTI and ZALT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VTI and ZALT?
99.0% of ZALT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 99.0% of ZALT's is in holdings VTI also owns. They hold 489 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 493 in ZALT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or ZALT?
VTI yields 1.06% while ZALT yields 0.00%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZALT better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.