Better ETF for Beginners: ITOT's Broad Market Exposure vs. VTV's Low-Risk Stability

1 week ago 9

Sarah Sidlow, The Motley Fool

Sat, January 3, 2026 astatine 8:06 AM CST 5 min read

Both the Vanguard Value ETF (NYSEMKT:VTV) and iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT:ITOT) purpose to springiness investors diversified entree to U.S. equities, but their approaches differ: VTV focuses connected large-cap worth stocks, portion ITOT tracks astir the full U.S. banal market, spanning maturation and value, ample and tiny companies. Here’s however these 2 fashionable low-cost options stack up connected the metrics that matter.

Metric

VTV

ITOT

Issuer

Vanguard

iShares

Expense ratio

0.04%

0.03%

1-yr instrumentality (as of Dec. 17, 2025)

12.66%

11.67%

Dividend yield

2%

1.09%

AUM

$215.5 billion

$80.39 billion

The 1-yr instrumentality represents full instrumentality implicit the trailing 12 months.

ITOT comes with a somewhat little disbursal ratio, making it marginally much affordable to hold, portion VTV offers a higher dividend output for those prioritizing income.

Metric

VTV

ITOT

Max drawdown (5 y)

(53.7%)

(27.57%)

Growth of $1,000 implicit 5 years

$1,606

$1,707

ITOT holds 2,498 stocks and aims to reflector the afloat U.S. equity market, with exertion companies accounting for 34% of assets, followed by fiscal services and user cyclicals. Its largest positions arsenic of the latest information are Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and the money has been operating for implicit 21 years. This wide attack means vulnerability to some high-growth and cyclical sectors, arsenic good arsenic small- and mid-cap stocks.

In contrast, VTV concentrates connected established worth stocks, with heavier weightings successful fiscal services (22%), industrials (16%), and healthcare (15%). Its apical holdings see JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). This tilt whitethorn entreaty to investors seeking steadier, income-oriented bluish chips with little sensitivity to growth-driven marketplace swings.

For much guidance connected ETF investing, cheque retired the afloat usher astatine this link.

With ultra-low disbursal ratios, some the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF and the Vanguard Value ETF are affordable options for investors looking to clasp a ample handbasket of stocks. ITOT's broader vulnerability means you're buying into the full U.S. equities market, which has historically been a winning stake implicit a agelong capable clip period. Its breadth besides means you person instant portfolio diversification and its market-cap-weighting operation means buying present grants you accrued attraction successful the red-hot tech sector.


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