RTH vs VTI
VanEck Retail ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RTH or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RTH led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.7%.
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 | RTH | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $243M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.97% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 52 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +5.61% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.19% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.69% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.08% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,443 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.7% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Oct 14, 2026 (25.4 years).
RTH 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 25.4 years both funds cover.
RTH vs VTI Performance
VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RTH returned +7.19% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, RTH is up 5.61% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, RTH compounded at +16.69% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.08% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, RTH has the edge at +9.76% annualized vs +8.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RTH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 15.3% 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 -42.4% for RTH 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RTH charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RTH currently yields 0.97% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.4% of RTH's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's money is in holdings RTH also owns.
Most of RTH is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
23 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RTH and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 52 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,133 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for RTH (91.0% of the fund), and 2 for RTH that do not appear in VTI (2.6%).
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 RTH | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 20.23% | 3.41% | 16.82% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 11.39% | 0.62% | 10.77% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 8.97% | 0.57% | 8.40% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 5.37% | 0.20% | 5.17% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 4.69% | 0.44% | 4.25% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 4.42% | 0.14% | 4.28% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 4.28% | 0.16% | 4.12% |
| CVSCvs Health Corp | 4.14% | 0.16% | 3.98% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 4.15% | 0.10% | 4.05% |
| TGTTARGET CORP | 4.06% | 0.10% | 3.96% |
97.4% of RTH 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, RTH or VTI?
RTH has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RTH or VTI?
Over the past year RTH returned +7.19% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), RTH annualized +9.76% vs +8.04% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RTH or VTI?
RTH has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RTH -42.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both RTH and VTI?
RTH and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RTH and VTI?
97.4% of RTH's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 6.6% of VTI's is in holdings RTH also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RTH and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RTH or VTI?
RTH yields 0.97% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RTH?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RTH led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.