MIDU vs VTI
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MIDU or VTI?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MIDU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. MIDU is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | MIDU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 812 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +13.28%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +20.44%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.21%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.55% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 53.3% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,728 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.1%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 8, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 8, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.8 years).
MIDU 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
MIDU vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X ETF (MIDU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MIDU returned +20.44% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, MIDU is up 13.28% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, MIDU compounded at +23.21% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.55% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, MIDU has the edge at +15.18% annualized vs +13.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MIDU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 53.3% 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 -86.5% for MIDU 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MIDU charges 0.99% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $3 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MIDU currently yields 0.48% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
78.6% of MIDU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 4.8% of VTI's money is in holdings MIDU also owns.
Most of MIDU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
391 positions in common, counted across the 401 positions we hold weights for in MIDU and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 812 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 811 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MIDU (92.9% of the fund), and 6 for MIDU that do not appear in VTI (22.6%).
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 MIDU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWLOTwilio Inc. Class A | 0.81% | 0.05% | 0.76% |
| ILMNIllumina, Inc. | 0.73% | 0.04% | 0.69% |
| OKTAOkta Inc. | 0.72% | 0.04% | 0.68% |
| PSTGPure Storage Inc | 0.68% | 0.04% | 0.64% |
| 0RMV:LNTechnipfmc Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.67% | 0.04% | 0.63% |
| ATIAti Inc | 0.59% | 0.04% | 0.55% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.55% | 0.03% | 0.52% |
| THCTenet Healthcare Corp Common Stock Usd 0.05 | 0.52% | 0.03% | 0.49% |
| UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corp | 0.49% | 0.03% | 0.46% |
| XPOXpo Logistics Inc. | 0.49% | 0.03% | 0.46% |
78.6% of MIDU 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, MIDU or VTI?
MIDU has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MIDU or VTI?
Over the past year MIDU returned +20.44% vs +16.63% for VTI, so MIDU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), MIDU annualized +15.18% vs +13.17% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MIDU or VTI?
MIDU has been the more volatile fund at 53.3% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MIDU -86.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MIDU and VTI?
MIDU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 MIDU and VTI?
78.6% of MIDU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 4.8% of VTI's is in holdings MIDU also owns. They hold 391 positions in common, counted across the 401 positions we hold weights for in MIDU and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MIDU or VTI?
MIDU yields 0.48% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MIDU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MIDU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. MIDU is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.