HBTA vs VTI
Horizon Expedition Plus ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HBTA or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HBTA led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | HBTA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $259M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 260 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8% | -20.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,020 | $10,754Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 5111 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HBTA has data through Oct 16, 2012 and VTI through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 27, 2011 to Oct 16, 2012 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HBTA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 16.3% 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 -23.8% for HBTA and -20.6% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HBTA charges 0.86% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $3 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HBTA currently yields 0.56% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
69.5% of HBTA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 40.7% of VTI's money is in holdings HBTA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
33 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 260 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,124 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for HBTA (56.9% of the fund), and 1 for HBTA that do not appear in VTI (1.1%).
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 HBTA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.56% | 6.88% | 0.32% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.84% | 6.30% | 0.54% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.79% | 5.11% | 0.32% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 5.30% | 2.70% | 2.60% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.93% | 3.41% | 0.48% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.95% | 2.38% | 0.43% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 2.69% | 1.23% | 1.46% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.61% | 1.04% | 1.57% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.87% | 0.42% | 2.45% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.55% | 0.48% | 2.07% |
69.5% of HBTA 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, HBTA or VTI?
HBTA has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HBTA or VTI?
HBTA has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 16.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: HBTA -23.8% vs VTI -20.6%.
Should I hold both HBTA and VTI?
HBTA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 HBTA and VTI?
69.5% of HBTA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 40.7% of VTI's is in holdings HBTA also owns. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HBTA or VTI?
HBTA yields 0.56% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HBTA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HBTA led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.