LST vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

LST (Leuthold Select Industries ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LST is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Leuthold Group, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. LST is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past year, LST returned 33.41% vs 27.18% for VTI. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LST charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

LST vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) 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, LST achieves a 15.69% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 10.35% return.

LST

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 15.69%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 33.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 9.59%
• 1Y: 27.18%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 15.31%

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

LST vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	15.69%	15.31%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.35%	14.57%

Correlation

The correlation between LST and VTI is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2025	0.84

The correlation between LST and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LST vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

LST

LST Risk / Return Rank: 70
LST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
LST Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
LST Omega Ratio Rank: 69
LST Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
LST Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

LST vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	LST	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.14	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.90	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	3.06	+0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.63	13.68	-1.04

LST vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LST Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LST 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.

Drawdowns

LST vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LST drawdown since its inception was -19.47%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LST and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	LST	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.47%	-55.45%	+35.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-8.92%	-1.93%
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	-1.69%	-1.48%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-8.01%	+5.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	1.99%	+0.66%

Volatility

LST vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) has a higher volatility of 4.98% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.74%. This indicates that LST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LST	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	4.74%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	9.96%	+2.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.94%	12.76%	+2.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.01%	17.49%	+0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	18.35%	-0.34%

LST vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

LST has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

LST vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

LST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, more than VTI's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	1.16%	1.34%	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	1.02%	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 LST and VTI in my portfolio?

LST and VTI have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LST or VTI?

LST has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to VTI (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LST dropped -19.47% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, LST or VTI?

On 1-year performance, LST leads with 33.41% vs 27.18% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LST or VTI?

Over the 1-year period, LST has performed better with a 33.41% return vs 27.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LST or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LST.

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

LST has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 1.02% for VTI.

What is the main difference between LST and VTI?

LST is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Leuthold Group and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LST and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 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.