CDX vs VTI
Simplify High Yield ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CDX or VTI?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 79.9%.
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 | CDX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $320M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.32% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 225 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -3.23% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.88% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.56% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.4%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.2%Best | -22.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $11,803 | $17,894Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 79.9% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.7 years).
CDX 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
CDX vs VTI Performance
Simplify High Yield ETF (CDX) is an ETF from Simplify Exchange Traded Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CDX returned -3.88% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, CDX is down 3.23% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, CDX compounded at +6.56% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 7.4% for CDX. 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 -13.2% for CDX and -22.4% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CDX charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CDX currently yields 8.32% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
21.3% of CDX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.0% of VTI's money is in holdings CDX also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
201 positions in common, counted across the 209 positions we hold weights for in CDX and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 225 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 998 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CDX (62.6% of the fund), and 3 for CDX that do not appear in VTI (77.9%).
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 CDX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.24% | 6.30% | 6.06% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.29% | 5.11% | 4.82% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 0.11% | 2.70% | 2.59% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.19% | 2.38% | 2.19% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.11% | 2.12% | 2.01% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.25% | 1.70% | 1.45% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 0.24% | 0.85% | 0.61% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.25% | 0.63% | 0.38% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.24% | 0.61% | 0.37% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.26% | 0.49% | 0.23% |
35.0% of VTI is already inside CDX.
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, CDX or VTI?
CDX has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CDX or VTI?
Over the past year CDX returned -3.88% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CDX or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 7.4% for CDX. Worst drawdown: CDX -13.2% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both CDX and VTI?
CDX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 CDX and VTI?
35.0% of VTI's money is in holdings CDX also owns. 35.0% of VTI's is in holdings CDX also owns. They hold 201 positions in common, counted across the 209 positions we hold weights for in CDX and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CDX or VTI?
CDX yields 8.32% while VTI yields 1.06%, so CDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CDX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 79.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.