QDEF vs VTI
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QDEF or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QDEF led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.5%.
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 | QDEF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $555M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 137 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +12.91% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.44% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.19% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.98%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,408Best | $17,616 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.5% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 14, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 19, 2012 to Oct 14, 2026 (13.8 years).
QDEF 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 13.8 years both funds cover.
QDEF vs VTI Performance
Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF (QDEF) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QDEF returned +16.44% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, QDEF is up 12.91% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, QDEF compounded at +20.19% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.98% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.13% annualized vs +10.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.3% for QDEF. 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 -36.2% for QDEF 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QDEF charges 0.37% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QDEF currently yields 1.60% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.8% of QDEF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 49.4% of VTI's money is in holdings QDEF also owns.
Most of QDEF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
149 positions in common, counted across the 154 positions we hold weights for in QDEF and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 137 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,010 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for QDEF (48.3% of the fund), and 2 for QDEF that do not appear in VTI (0.4%).
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 QDEF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.95% | 6.30% | 2.65% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.39% | 6.88% | 0.51% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.55% | 5.11% | 0.56% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.35% | 2.70% | 0.35% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.66% | 2.38% | 0.28% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.87% | 2.12% | 0.25% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.80% | 0.87% | 1.93% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.01% | 1.29% | 0.72% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.59% | 1.70% | 0.11% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.85% | 1.33% | 0.52% |
97.8% of QDEF 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, QDEF or VTI?
QDEF has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QDEF or VTI?
Over the past year QDEF returned +16.44% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), QDEF annualized +10.54% vs +13.13% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QDEF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.3% for QDEF. Worst drawdown: QDEF -36.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both QDEF and VTI?
QDEF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 QDEF and VTI?
97.8% of QDEF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 49.4% of VTI's is in holdings QDEF also owns. They hold 149 positions in common, counted across the 154 positions we hold weights for in QDEF and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QDEF or VTI?
QDEF yields 1.60% while VTI yields 1.06%, so QDEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QDEF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QDEF led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.