SLY vs VTI
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SLY or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | SLY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.62% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 605 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 17.6 years | $46,916Best | $36,537 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1224 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SLY has data through Jun 9, 2023 and VTI through Oct 15, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 17.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2005 to Jun 9, 2023 (17.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 15.9% 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 -60.1% for SLY 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLY charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLY currently yields 1.62% against 1.06% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLY 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, SLY or VTI?
SLY has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SLY or VTI?
SLY has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SLY -60.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both SLY and VTI?
SLY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLY or VTI?
SLY yields 1.62% while VTI yields 1.06%, so SLY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SLY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.