AIRR vs VTI
First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AIRR or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AIRR led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. AIRR is less concentrated, with 30.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | AIRR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.9B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 116 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -1.90% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.93% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.12%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.97%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.2% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,833Best | $17,616 |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.9%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 11, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.6 years).
AIRR vs VTI 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 12.6 years both funds cover.
AIRR vs VTI Performance
First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AIRR returned +1.93% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, AIRR is down 1.90% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, AIRR compounded at +26.12% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +18.97% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, AIRR has the edge at +13.81% annualized vs +12.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIRR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.2% compared with 15.0% 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 -42.4% for AIRR and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIRR charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIRR currently yields 0.09% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.8% of AIRR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's money is in holdings AIRR also owns.
Most of AIRR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
57 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in AIRR and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 116 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,112 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AIRR (97.0% of the fund), and 0 for AIRR that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 AIRR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IESCIes Holdings, Inc. | 4.01% | 0.01% | 4.00% |
| FPSForgent Power Solutions, Inc. (Class A) | 3.59% | 0.01% | 3.58% |
| KTOSKratos Defense & | 3.05% | 0.01% | 3.04% |
| POWLPowell Industries Inc | 3.01% | 0.01% | 3.00% |
| NXTNextpower Inc Class A Common Stock | 2.95% | 0.02% | 2.93% |
| STRLSterling Construction Company Inc | 2.91% | 0.02% | 2.89% |
| ROLLRbc Bearings Inc | 2.90% | 0.02% | 2.88% |
| SPXCSpx Corp | 2.83% | 0.01% | 2.82% |
| SAIASaia Inc | 2.83% | 0.01% | 2.82% |
| CHRWCh Robinson Worldwide Inc. | 2.82% | 0.02% | 2.80% |
99.8% of AIRR 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, AIRR or VTI?
AIRR has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIRR or VTI?
Over the past year AIRR returned +1.93% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), AIRR annualized +13.81% vs +12.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIRR or VTI?
AIRR has been the more volatile fund at 24.2% annualized versus 15.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AIRR -42.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both AIRR and VTI?
AIRR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 AIRR and VTI?
99.8% of AIRR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.5% of VTI's is in holdings AIRR also owns. They hold 57 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in AIRR and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIRR or VTI?
AIRR yields 0.09% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AIRR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AIRR led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. AIRR is less concentrated, with 30.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.