TILT vs VTI
Northern Trust Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TILT or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. TILT led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. TILT is less concentrated, with 27.1% 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 | TILT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,929 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +11.74% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.61% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.41% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.12% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,942 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.1%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 16, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.1 years).
TILT 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
TILT vs VTI Performance
Northern Trust Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt ETF (TILT) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TILT returned +15.61% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, TILT is up 11.74% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, TILT compounded at +20.41% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.12% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, TILT has the edge at +14.27% annualized vs +13.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TILT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 14.5% 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 -38.5% for TILT and -35.0% 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
TILT charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TILT currently yields 1.08% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
98.0% of TILT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 96.9% of VTI's money is in holdings TILT also owns.
Most of TILT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,831 positions in common, counted across the 1,904 positions we hold weights for in TILT and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 1,929 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 30 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for TILT (1.0% of the fund), and 35 for TILT that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
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 TILT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.56% | 6.88% | 1.32% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.98% | 6.30% | 1.32% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.93% | 5.11% | 1.18% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.53% | 3.41% | 0.88% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.04% | 2.70% | 0.66% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.66% | 2.38% | 0.72% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.64% | 2.12% | 0.48% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.04% | 1.70% | 0.34% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.58% | 1.46% | 0.12% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.03% | 1.40% | 0.37% |
98.0% of TILT 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, TILT or VTI?
TILT has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TILT or VTI?
Over the past year TILT returned +15.61% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), TILT annualized +14.27% vs +13.83% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TILT or VTI?
TILT has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TILT -38.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both TILT and VTI?
TILT 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 TILT and VTI?
98.0% of TILT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 96.9% of VTI's is in holdings TILT also owns. They hold 1,831 positions in common, counted across the 1,904 positions we hold weights for in TILT and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TILT or VTI?
TILT yields 1.08% while VTI yields 1.06%, so TILT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TILT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. TILT led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. TILT is less concentrated, with 27.1% 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.