SEPQ vs VTI
STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SEPQ or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SEPQ led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | SEPQ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $95M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.29% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 196 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +18.23%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +19.72%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.68% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $18,256 | $20,530Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Shelton Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 18, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.4 years).
SEPQ 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
SEPQ vs VTI Performance
STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF (SEPQ) is an ETF from Shelton Capital Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SEPQ returned +19.72% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, SEPQ is up 18.23% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, SEPQ compounded at +21.68% per year against +21.97% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +17.76% annualized vs +14.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SEPQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.4% 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 -23.4% for SEPQ 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SEPQ charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SEPQ currently yields 11.29% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.1% of SEPQ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.5% of VTI's money is in holdings SEPQ also owns.
Most of SEPQ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
90 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in SEPQ and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 196 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,066 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SEPQ (50.1% of the fund), and 3 for SEPQ that do not appear in VTI (0.9%).
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 SEPQ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.17% | 6.30% | 1.87% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.57% | 6.88% | 0.69% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.25% | 5.11% | 1.14% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.29% | 3.41% | 0.88% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.38% | 2.70% | 0.68% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.52% | 1.46% | 3.06% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.55% | 1.70% | 1.85% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.10% | 2.12% | 0.98% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.57% | 2.38% | 0.19% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.50% | 1.04% | 2.46% |
93.1% of SEPQ 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, SEPQ or VTI?
SEPQ has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SEPQ or VTI?
Over the past year SEPQ returned +19.72% vs +16.63% for VTI, so SEPQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SEPQ annualized +14.66% vs +17.76% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SEPQ or VTI?
SEPQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SEPQ -23.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SEPQ and VTI?
SEPQ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 SEPQ and VTI?
93.1% of SEPQ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.5% of VTI's is in holdings SEPQ also owns. They hold 90 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in SEPQ and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SEPQ or VTI?
SEPQ yields 11.29% while VTI yields 1.06%, so SEPQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SEPQ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SEPQ led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.