IUS vs VTI
Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IUS or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. IUS is less concentrated, with 26.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | IUS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $964M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,082 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +23.14%Best | +14.35% |
| 1Y Return | +29.97%Best | +17.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.72%Best | +22.47% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.61%Best | +12.62% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,653Best | $18,117 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2018 to Oct 13, 2026 (8.1 years).
IUS 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 8.1 years both funds cover.
IUS vs VTI Performance
Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IUS returned +29.97% while VTI returned +17.97%. Year to date, IUS is up 23.14% versus a gain of 14.35% for VTI.
Over three years, IUS compounded at +22.72% per year against +22.47% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +15.61% and +12.62% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IUS has the edge at +15.03% annualized vs +13.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 16.6% for IUS. 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 -35.2% for IUS 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IUS charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IUS currently yields 1.21% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.9% of IUS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 78.1% of VTI's money is in holdings IUS also owns.
Most of IUS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, IUS as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
524 positions in common, counted across the 538 positions we hold weights for in IUS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,082 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 649 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for IUS (19.6% of the fund), and 10 for IUS that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
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 IUS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.19% | 6.29% | 2.10% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.90% | 4.79% | 0.89% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.10% | 6.40% | 4.30% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.46% | 2.90% | 0.56% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.66% | 3.65% | 0.99% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.69% | 1.70% | 0.99% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 2.64% | 1.28% | 1.36% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.72% | 2.56% | 1.84% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.31% | 0.89% | 1.42% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.54% | 0.52% | 1.02% |
98.9% of IUS 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, IUS or VTI?
IUS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IUS or VTI?
Over the past year IUS returned +29.97% vs +17.97% for VTI, so IUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IUS annualized +15.03% vs +13.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IUS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 16.6% for IUS. Worst drawdown: IUS -35.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both IUS and VTI?
IUS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 IUS and VTI?
98.9% of IUS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 78.1% of VTI's is in holdings IUS also owns. They hold 524 positions in common, counted across the 538 positions we hold weights for in IUS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IUS or VTI?
IUS yields 1.21% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IUS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. IUS is less concentrated, with 26.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.