UPSD vs VTI
Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UPSD or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | UPSD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $129M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.59% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 103 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +14.77%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +16.52% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,252 | $13,091Best |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
UPSD 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
UPSD vs VTI Performance
Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF (UPSD) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPSD returned +16.52% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, UPSD is up 14.77% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPSD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% 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 -23.9% for UPSD 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPSD charges 0.79% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $3 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UPSD currently yields 0.59% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 50.5% of VTI's money is in holdings UPSD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UPSD, our book for it covers 94.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
97 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in UPSD and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 103 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UPSD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.39% | 6.88% | 1.49% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.90% | 6.30% | 1.40% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.49% | 5.11% | 1.62% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.86% | 3.41% | 1.55% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 1.55% | 2.70% | 1.15% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.54% | 2.12% | 0.58% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.16% | 1.46% | 0.70% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.89% | 2.38% | 1.49% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.29% | 1.33% | 0.04% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.44% | 0.90% | 0.54% |
50.5% of VTI is already inside UPSD.
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, UPSD or VTI?
UPSD has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPSD or VTI?
Over the past year UPSD returned +16.52% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), UPSD annualized +11.28% vs +15.23% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPSD or VTI?
UPSD has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 12.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UPSD -23.9% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both UPSD and VTI?
UPSD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 UPSD and VTI?
At least 50.5% of VTI's money is in holdings UPSD also owns. Our book for UPSD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 97 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in UPSD and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPSD or VTI?
UPSD yields 0.59% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UPSD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.