HOCT vs VTI
Innovator Premium Income 9 Buffer ETF - October vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HOCT or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | HOCT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.05% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 4 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.7%Best | 12.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.7%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $10,022 | $15,952Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 2, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 378 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HOCT has data through Oct 1, 2025 and VTI through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 2, 2023 to Oct 1, 2025 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 2.7% for HOCT. 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 -8.7% for HOCT and -19.3% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HOCT charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HOCT currently yields 6.05% against 1.06% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HOCT and VTI 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, HOCT or VTI?
HOCT has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HOCT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 2.7% for HOCT. Worst drawdown: HOCT -8.7% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both HOCT and VTI?
HOCT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, HOCT or VTI?
HOCT yields 6.05% while VTI yields 1.06%, so HOCT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HOCT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.