LCAP vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LCAP (Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. LCAP is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past year, LCAP returned 27.27% vs 28.18% for VTI. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LCAP charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

LCAP vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF (LCAP) 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, LCAP achieves a 12.02% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 11.20% return.

LCAP

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 3.30%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 11.68%
• 1Y: 27.27%
• 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)

LCAP vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LCAP Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF	12.02%	18.16%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.20%	20.70%

Correlation

The correlation between LCAP and VTI is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.94

The correlation between LCAP and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

LCAP vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LCAP	VTI
Technology	36.0%	33.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	10.0%
Financial Services	12.5%	12.0%
Communication Services	11.0%	10.3%
Healthcare	9.3%	9.2%
Industrials	6.1%	9.8%
Energy	3.8%	3.7%
Utilities	3.2%	2.3%
Basic Materials	1.6%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	4.7%

Return for Risk

LCAP vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

LCAP

LCAP Risk / Return Rank: 65
LCAP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
LCAP Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
LCAP Omega Ratio Rank: 63
LCAP Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
LCAP Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

LCAP vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF (LCAP) 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.

	LCAP	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.33	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.18	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	3.17	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.03	14.62	-2.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LCAP vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LCAP Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LCAP 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

	LCAP	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.33	-0.19
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	1.59	0.51	+1.08

Drawdowns

LCAP vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LCAP drawdown since its inception was -11.31%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCAP and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	LCAP	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.31%	-55.45%	+44.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-8.92%	-0.40%
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	-0.87%	-0.72%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.61%	-8.03%	+6.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	1.93%	+0.34%

Volatility

LCAP vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF (LCAP) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 2.98% and 2.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LCAP	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	2.96%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	9.13%	+1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.82%	12.17%	+0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	17.40%	-0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.88%	18.30%	-1.42%

LCAP vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

LCAP has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

LCAP vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

LCAP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LCAP Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF	0.10%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	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 LCAP and VTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, LCAP and VTI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, LCAP or VTI?

LCAP has higher volatility (2.98%) compared to VTI (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCAP dropped -11.31% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, LCAP or VTI?

On 1-year performance, VTI leads with 28.18% vs 27.27% for LCAP. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LCAP or VTI?

Over the 1-year period, VTI has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 27.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LCAP or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for LCAP.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.10% for LCAP.

What is the main difference between LCAP and VTI?

They also come from different issuers: Principal and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for LCAP and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.14), 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.