RTH vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

RTH (VanEck Vectors Retail ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RTH is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RTH returned 14.35%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RTH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

RTH vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) 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, RTH achieves a 4.33% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 9.62% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RTH having a 14.35% annualized return and VTI not far ahead at 15.02%.

RTH

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -1.59%
• YTD: 4.33%
• 6M: 2.84%
• 1Y: 12.87%
• 3Y*: 16.16%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: 14.35%

VTI

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -0.28%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 26.27%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

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

RTH vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	4.33%	12.36%	20.02%	20.07%	-17.67%	24.94%	31.62%	29.06%	3.87%	22.45%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.62%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between RTH and VTI is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between RTH and VTI has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RTH vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RTH	VTI
Consumer Cyclical	57.2%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	26.8%	4.7%
Healthcare	13.4%	9.1%
Industrials	2.6%	9.5%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Communication Services	-	10.1%
Energy	-	3.8%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Technology	-	33.3%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

RTH vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

RTH

RTH Risk / Return Rank: 32
RTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
RTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
RTH Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
RTH Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

RTH vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) 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.

	RTH	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	1.97	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.67	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.35	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	2.79	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.99	12.52	-7.53

RTH vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RTH Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RTH 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

RTH vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RTH drawdown since its inception was -42.32%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RTH and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	RTH	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.32%	-55.45%	+13.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-8.92%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.80%	-19.30%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.00%	-25.36%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.00%	-35.00%	+10.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.58%	-2.14%	-1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-8.02%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	1.99%	+0.36%

Volatility

RTH vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) is 3.85%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that RTH 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

	RTH	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	4.50%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	9.82%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.09%	12.64%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	17.47%	-0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	18.33%	-0.79%

RTH vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

RTH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RTH vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

RTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than VTI's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	0.93%	0.97%	0.77%	1.07%	1.16%	0.78%	0.64%	0.91%	1.05%	1.56%	1.84%	2.25%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	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 RTH and VTI in my portfolio?

RTH and VTI have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RTH or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to RTH (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RTH dropped -42.32% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, RTH or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 14.35% for RTH. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RTH has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RTH or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 14.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RTH or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RTH.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.93% for RTH.

What is the main difference between RTH and VTI?

RTH is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. RTH tracks MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RTH and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 0.97), 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.