VAMO vs VTI
Cambria Value and Momentum Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VAMO or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VAMO is less concentrated, with 13.1% 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 | VAMO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $86M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.68% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 206 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +3.07% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.56% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.96% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.43% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,988 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.1%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.1 years).
VAMO 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
VAMO vs VTI Performance
Cambria Value and Momentum Hedged Equity ETF (VAMO) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VAMO returned +5.56% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, VAMO is up 3.07% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, VAMO compounded at +11.96% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.43% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.42% annualized vs +4.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 13.0% for VAMO. 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 -41.8% for VAMO 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 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VAMO charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VAMO currently yields 0.68% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
90.0% of VAMO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's money is in holdings VAMO also owns.
Most of VAMO is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
99 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in VAMO and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 206 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,100 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VAMO (95.3% of the fund), and 3 for VAMO that do not appear in VTI (5.4%).
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 VAMO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.91% | 0.30% | 0.61% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.99% | 0.15% | 0.84% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 0.93% | 0.18% | 0.75% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.97% | 0.14% | 0.83% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 0.89% | 0.18% | 0.71% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.94% | 0.13% | 0.81% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 0.92% | 0.14% | 0.78% |
| GMGeneral Motors Co | 0.94% | 0.11% | 0.83% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp. | 0.92% | 0.08% | 0.84% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 0.92% | 0.07% | 0.85% |
90.0% of VAMO 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, VAMO or VTI?
VAMO has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VAMO or VTI?
Over the past year VAMO returned +5.56% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), VAMO annualized +4.22% vs +13.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VAMO or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 13.0% for VAMO. Worst drawdown: VAMO -41.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VAMO and VTI?
VAMO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 VAMO and VTI?
90.0% of VAMO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's is in holdings VAMO also owns. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in VAMO and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VAMO or VTI?
VAMO yields 0.68% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VAMO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VAMO is less concentrated, with 13.1% 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.