MILK vs VTI
Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MILK or VTI?
Short Term High Yield Bond 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 | MILK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.24% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 206 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -4.48% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.73% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.9%Best | 12.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.4%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $10,005 | $13,250Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 18, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
MILK 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MILK vs VTI Performance
Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MILK returned -6.73% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, MILK is down 4.48% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 5.9% for MILK. 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 -8.4% for MILK 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MILK charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MILK currently yields 7.24% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 71 holdings in MILK and 3,441 in VTI, totalling 66.4% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of MILK to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in MILK and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 206 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MILK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| THCTenet Healthcare Corporation 6.13 06/15/2030 | 0.08% | 0.03% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MILK 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, MILK or VTI?
MILK has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MILK or VTI?
Over the past year MILK returned -6.73% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MILK annualized +0.03% vs +16.92% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MILK or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 5.9% for MILK. Worst drawdown: MILK -8.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MILK and VTI?
MILK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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, MILK or VTI?
MILK yields 7.24% while VTI yields 1.06%, so MILK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MILK?
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.