SQEW vs VTI
LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SQEW or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | SQEW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.96% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 159 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5.5 years | $15,910 | $24,944Best |
| Fund Family | LeaderShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 11, 2020 | 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 355 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SQEW has data through Oct 24, 2025 and VTI through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2020 to Oct 24, 2025 (5.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 16.0% 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 -26.1% for SQEW and -25.4% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SQEW charges 0.84% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $3 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SQEW currently yields 0.96% against 1.06% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SQEW 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, SQEW or VTI?
SQEW has an expense ratio of 0.84% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SQEW or VTI?
SQEW has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SQEW -26.1% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both SQEW and VTI?
SQEW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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, SQEW or VTI?
SQEW yields 0.96% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SQEW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.