ISCB vs VTI
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ISCB or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ISCB led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | ISCB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $271M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,571 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 22.3 years | $52,397 | $75,518Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | 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 11 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ISCB has data through Oct 2, 2026 and VTI through Oct 13, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 22.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Oct 2, 2026 (22.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 15.2% 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 -61.9% for ISCB and -56.6% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB charges 0.04% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $3 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ISCB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISCB, our book for it covers 92.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and ISCB share little of their money.
1,286 positions in common, counted across the 1,345 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 1,571 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEAMAtlassian Corp-Cl A | 0.46% | 0.04% | 0.42% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 0.45% | 0.04% | 0.41% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| ROKURoku, Inc | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| BBYBest Buy Co Inc | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| NTNXNutanix Inc - A | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB 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, ISCB or VTI?
ISCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ISCB or VTI?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ISCB -61.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both ISCB and VTI?
ISCB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ISCB and VTI?
At least 7.3% of VTI's money is in holdings ISCB also owns. Our book for ISCB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,286 positions in common, counted across the 1,345 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCB or VTI?
ISCB yields 1.27% while VTI yields 1.06%, so ISCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ISCB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ISCB led over 1Y, VTI over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.