VTI vs ZTAX
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF
Which is better, VTI or ZTAX?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | ZTAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.92% |
| AUM | $689.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 4.77% |
| Holdings | 3,542 | 39 |
| YTD Return | +11.74%Best | -7.32% |
| 1Y Return | +12.21%Best | -3.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.24%Best | +1.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.57% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0% | 8.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -23.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $18,830Best | $11,071 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | X-Square Capital |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | May 17, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2023 to Nov 12, 2026 (3.5 years).
VTI vs ZTAX 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
VTI vs ZTAX Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) is an ETF from X-Square Capital. Over the past year VTI returned +12.21% while ZTAX returned -3.42%. Year to date, VTI is up 11.74% versus a loss of 7.32% for ZTAX.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +21.24% per year against +1.86% for ZTAX. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +19.82% annualized vs +2.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.0% compared with 8.5% for ZTAX. 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 -23.8% for ZTAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while ZTAX charges 0.92%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $92 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.06% against 4.77% for ZTAX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,464 holdings in VTI and 14 in ZTAX, totalling 97.2% and 83.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3,464 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 14 in ZTAX, against full books of 3,542 and 39.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and ZTAX 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 ZTAX?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ZTAX charges 0.92%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or ZTAX?
Over the past year VTI returned +12.21% vs -3.42% for ZTAX, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), VTI annualized +19.82% vs +2.95% for ZTAX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or ZTAX?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 13.0% annualized versus 8.5% for ZTAX. Worst drawdown: VTI -19.3% vs ZTAX -23.8%.
Should I hold both VTI and ZTAX?
VTI and ZTAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.29, 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 ZTAX?
VTI yields 1.06% while ZTAX yields 4.77%, so ZTAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZTAX better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.