VRAI vs VTI
Virtus Real Asset Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VRAI or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VRAI led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VRAI is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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 | VRAI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $18M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.25% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 180 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +20.43%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +23.14%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.92% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.34% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,971 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.7 years).
VRAI 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 7.7 years both funds cover.
VRAI vs VTI Performance
Virtus Real Asset Income ETF (VRAI) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VRAI returned +23.14% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, VRAI is up 20.43% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, VRAI compounded at +12.92% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.34% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.05% annualized vs +5.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VRAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 16.8% 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 -48.9% for VRAI 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VRAI charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VRAI currently yields 3.25% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
74.6% of VRAI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.4% of VTI's money is in holdings VRAI also owns.
Most of VRAI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
67 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in VRAI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 180 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,110 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for VRAI (96.1% of the fund), and 12 for VRAI that do not appear in VTI (13.3%).
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 VRAI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.13% | 0.12% | 1.01% |
| MURMurphy Oil Corp | 1.21% | 0.01% | 1.20% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 1.20% | 0.02% | 1.18% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 1.13% | 0.09% | 1.04% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 1.18% | 0.03% | 1.15% |
| APLEApple Hospitality Reit Inc | 1.19% | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| INNSummit Hotel Properties Inc Reit | 1.19% | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 1.18% | 0.01% | 1.17% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.17% | 0.02% | 1.15% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 1.12% | 0.06% | 1.06% |
74.6% of VRAI 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, VRAI or VTI?
VRAI has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VRAI or VTI?
Over the past year VRAI returned +23.14% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VRAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), VRAI annualized +5.04% vs +15.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VRAI or VTI?
VRAI has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: VRAI -48.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VRAI and VTI?
VRAI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 VRAI and VTI?
74.6% of VRAI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.4% of VTI's is in holdings VRAI also owns. They hold 67 positions in common, counted across the 89 positions we hold weights for in VRAI and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VRAI or VTI?
VRAI yields 3.25% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VRAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VRAI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VRAI led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VRAI is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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.