VTI vs ZTR
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF vs Virtus Total Return Fund Inc
Which is better, VTI or ZTR?
Large Cap Blend against Allocation/Balanced.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | ZTR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 2.53% |
| AUM | $690.1B | $340M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 8.30% |
| Holdings | 3,524 | 796 |
| YTD Return | +14.72%Best | +3.69% |
| 1Y Return | +16.82%Best | +2.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.93%Best | +20.91% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.78%Best | +2.40% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6%Best | -83.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,246Best | $11,259 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | May 24, 2001 | Feb 24, 2005 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Oct 6, 2026 (25.3 years).
VTI vs ZTR 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VTI vs ZTR Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Virtus Total Return Fund Inc (ZTR) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year VTI returned +16.82% while ZTR returned +2.41%. Year to date, VTI is up 14.72% versus a gain of 3.69% for ZTR.
Over three years, VTI compounded at +22.93% per year against +20.91% for ZTR; over five years the annualized figures are +12.78% and +2.40% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.11% annualized vs -3.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.3% 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 -83.2% for ZTR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTI charges 0.03% per year while ZTR charges 2.53%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $253 annually, a gap of $250 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 8.30% for ZTR.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ZTR also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for ZTR, our book for it lists positions totalling 129.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VTI and ZTR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, VTI as of Jul 31, 2026 and ZTR as of May 29, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
29 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 514 in ZTR, against full books of 3,524 and 796.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTI | Weight in ZTR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.24% | 5.21% | 4.97% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.25% | 4.56% | 4.31% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.12% | 3.54% | 3.42% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.13% | 3.40% | 3.27% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 0.15% | 3.34% | 3.19% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 2.97% | 2.89% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 0.07% | 2.71% | 2.64% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 0.07% | 2.69% | 2.62% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 0.11% | 2.51% | 2.40% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 0.08% | 2.47% | 2.39% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTI and ZTR 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 ZTR?
VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while ZTR charges 2.53%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $250 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTI or ZTR?
Over the past year VTI returned +16.82% vs +2.41% for ZTR, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), VTI annualized +8.11% vs -3.53% for ZTR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTI or ZTR?
ZTR has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs ZTR -83.2%.
Should I hold both VTI and ZTR?
VTI and ZTR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 ZTR?
At least 2.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ZTR also owns. Our book for ZTR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 3,463 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 514 in ZTR.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or ZTR?
VTI yields 1.03% while ZTR yields 8.30%, so ZTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZTR better than VTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.