STEN vs VOO
iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, STEN or VOO?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | STEN | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $41M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.17% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 8 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +11.76% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.69% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2%Best | -8.9% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,326 | $11,584Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
STEN vs VOO 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 1 years both funds cover.
STEN vs VOO Performance
iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF (STEN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STEN returned +14.69% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, STEN is up 11.76% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 9.2% for STEN. 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 -6.2% for STEN and -8.9% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STEN charges 0.50% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STEN currently yields 0.17% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in STEN and 504 in VOO, totalling 100.2% and 100.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in STEN and 504 in VOO, against full books of 8 and 506.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STEN and VOO 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, STEN or VOO?
STEN has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STEN or VOO?
Over the past year STEN returned +14.69% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), STEN annualized +13.26% vs +15.84% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STEN or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 9.2% for STEN. Worst drawdown: STEN -6.2% vs VOO -8.9%.
Should I hold both STEN and VOO?
STEN and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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, STEN or VOO?
STEN yields 0.17% while VOO yields 1.06%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than STEN?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.