STOX vs VTI
Horizon Core Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, STOX or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. STOX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
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 | STOX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $238M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.17% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 346 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +14.09%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +17.61%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2%Best | 11.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $12,819Best | $12,697 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.6% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.3 years).
STOX 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
STOX vs VTI Performance
Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) is an ETF from Horizon Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STOX returned +17.61% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, STOX is up 14.09% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.4% compared with 11.2% for STOX. 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 -9.3% for STOX and -8.9% 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STOX charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STOX currently yields 0.17% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
91.4% of STOX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 68.8% of VTI's money is in holdings STOX also owns.
Most of STOX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
161 positions in common, counted across the 166 positions we hold weights for in STOX and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 346 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 995 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for STOX (28.8% of the fund), and 5 for STOX that do not appear in VTI (8.4%).
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 STOX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.67% | 6.88% | 0.21% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.60% | 6.30% | 0.30% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.22% | 5.11% | 0.11% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 5.20% | 2.70% | 2.50% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.88% | 3.41% | 1.53% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.73% | 2.38% | 0.35% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 2.57% | 1.23% | 1.34% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.34% | 1.46% | 0.88% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.83% | 1.70% | 0.13% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.95% | 1.33% | 0.62% |
91.4% of STOX 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, STOX or VTI?
STOX has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STOX or VTI?
Over the past year STOX returned +17.61% vs +16.63% for VTI, so STOX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), STOX annualized +21.05% vs +20.16% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STOX or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 11.4% annualized versus 11.2% for STOX. Worst drawdown: STOX -9.3% vs VTI -8.9%.
Should I hold both STOX and VTI?
STOX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between STOX and VTI?
91.4% of STOX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 68.8% of VTI's is in holdings STOX also owns. They hold 161 positions in common, counted across the 166 positions we hold weights for in STOX and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, STOX or VTI?
STOX yields 0.17% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than STOX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. STOX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.