SMIZ vs VTI
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SMIZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SMIZ is less concentrated, with 11.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | SMIZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $280M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 402 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.29% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.75% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.63% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.0% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,949 | $18,613Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.7%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Zacks | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
SMIZ 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 3 years both funds cover.
SMIZ vs VTI Performance
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) is an ETF from Zacks and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIZ returned +10.75% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, SMIZ is up 9.29% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, SMIZ compounded at +18.63% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 12.6% 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 -25.0% for SMIZ 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMIZ charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMIZ currently yields 0.56% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.3% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 4.7% of VTI's money is in holdings SMIZ also owns.
Most of SMIZ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
181 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 402 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,038 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SMIZ (92.9% of the fund), and 2 for SMIZ that do not appear in VTI (1.6%).
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 SMIZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 1.59% | 0.04% | 1.55% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc. | 1.16% | 0.28% | 0.88% |
| VSTSVestis Corp | 1.23% | 0.00% | 1.23% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 1.11% | 0.07% | 1.04% |
| ALNTAllient Inc | 1.15% | 0.00% | 1.15% |
| INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. | 1.08% | 0.01% | 1.07% |
| AMGAffiliated Managers Group Inc. | 1.07% | 0.01% | 1.06% |
| CVLTCommvaultsystems Inc. | 1.01% | 0.01% | 1.00% |
| EXPDExpeditors International Of Washington Inc | 0.98% | 0.03% | 0.95% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.88% | 0.13% | 0.75% |
89.3% of SMIZ 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, SMIZ or VTI?
SMIZ has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMIZ or VTI?
Over the past year SMIZ returned +10.75% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMIZ or VTI?
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 12.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SMIZ -25.0% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both SMIZ and VTI?
SMIZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SMIZ and VTI?
89.3% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 4.7% of VTI's is in holdings SMIZ also owns. They hold 181 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIZ or VTI?
SMIZ yields 0.56% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SMIZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SMIZ is less concentrated, with 11.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.