RSST vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RSST (Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RSST is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past year, RSST returned 58.35% vs 30.01% for VTI. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RSST charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

RSST vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) 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, RSST achieves a 22.61% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 12.01% return.

RSST

• 1D: 1.11%
• 1M: 8.93%
• YTD: 22.61%
• 6M: 26.30%
• 1Y: 58.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

RSST vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	22.61%	19.91%	18.37%	1.56%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	7.74%

Correlation

The correlation between RSST and VTI is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2023	0.83

The correlation between RSST and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

RSST vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSST	VTI
Technology	30.7%	33.5%
Financial Services	14.6%	12.0%
Communication Services	9.6%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	10.0%
Industrials	8.8%	9.8%
Healthcare	8.2%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	4.7%
Energy	5.4%	3.7%
Basic Materials	3.4%	2.0%
Utilities	2.7%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.4%

Return for Risk

RSST vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSST

RSST Risk / Return Rank: 79
RSST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
RSST Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
RSST Omega Ratio Rank: 72
RSST Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
RSST Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

RSST vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) 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.

	RSST	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	2.48	+0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	3.37	-0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.45	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.21	3.44	+1.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.44	15.88	+2.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSST vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSST Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSST 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

	RSST	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.65	2.48	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.96	0.51	+0.45

Drawdowns

RSST vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSST drawdown since its inception was -30.80%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSST and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSST	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.80%	-55.45%	+24.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	-8.92%	-2.79%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.04%	-8.03%	+1.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	1.93%	+1.38%

Volatility

RSST vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF (RSST) has a higher volatility of 3.94% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.86%. This indicates that RSST'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

	RSST	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	2.86%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.33%	9.11%	+6.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.16%	12.15%	+10.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.17%	17.40%	+6.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.17%	18.30%	+5.87%

RSST vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSST has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSST vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

RSST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RSST Return Stacked U.S. Stocks & Managed Futures ETF	0.92%	1.12%	0.09%	0.93%	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 RSST and VTI in my portfolio?

RSST and VTI have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSST or VTI?

RSST has higher volatility (3.94%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSST dropped -30.80% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, RSST or VTI?

On 1-year performance, RSST leads with 58.35% vs 30.01% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSST or VTI?

Over the 1-year period, RSST has performed better with a 58.35% return vs 30.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSST or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for RSST.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.92% for RSST.

What is the main difference between RSST and VTI?

They also come from different issuers: Return Stacked and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for RSST and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.48), 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.