BUSA vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BUSA (Brandes U.S. Value ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUSA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Brandes, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. BUSA is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past year, BUSA returned 23.33% vs 28.18% for VTI. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUSA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

BUSA vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brandes U.S. Value ETF (BUSA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUSA achieves a 7.11% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return.

BUSA

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 23.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.99%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BUSA vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BUSA Brandes U.S. Value ETF	7.11%	17.56%	15.76%	10.65%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	17.10%	23.81%	13.20%

Correlation

The correlation between BUSA and VTI is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2023	0.71

The correlation between BUSA and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUSA vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUSA	VTI
Healthcare	23.8%	9.2%
Financial Services	20.1%	12.0%
Technology	12.9%	33.5%
Industrials	12.4%	9.8%
Energy	7.3%	3.7%
Communication Services	5.6%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	10.0%
Basic Materials	4.1%	2.0%
Utilities	3.4%	2.3%
Real Estate	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

BUSA vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BUSA

BUSA Risk / Return Rank: 58
BUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
BUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
BUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 56
BUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BUSA vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brandes U.S. Value ETF (BUSA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BUSA	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.33	-0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	3.18	-0.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.42	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.17	-0.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.44	14.62	-4.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUSA vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUSA and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUSA	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.33	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.46	0.51	+0.95

Drawdowns

BUSA vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUSA drawdown since its inception was -14.19%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUSA and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUSA	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.19%	-55.45%	+41.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.61%	-8.92%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-0.72%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-8.03%	+5.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	1.93%	+0.30%

Volatility

BUSA vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brandes U.S. Value ETF (BUSA) is 2.74%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that BUSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUSA	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.74%	2.96%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.47%	9.13%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	12.17%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.66%	17.40%	-3.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.66%	18.30%	-4.64%

BUSA vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUSA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUSA vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

BUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUSA Brandes U.S. Value ETF	1.47%	1.53%	1.37%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUSA and VTI in my portfolio?

BUSA and VTI have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUSA or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to BUSA (2.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUSA dropped -14.19% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, BUSA or VTI?

On 1-year performance, VTI leads with 28.18% vs 23.33% for BUSA. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BUSA has been the lower-risk option at 2.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUSA or VTI?

Over the 1-year period, VTI has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 23.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUSA or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BUSA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUSA or VTI?

BUSA has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between BUSA and VTI?

BUSA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Brandes and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for BUSA and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.98), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.