VIXM vs. VTI
VIXM (ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIXM is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures 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, VIXM returned -12.35%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VTI. At a correlation of -0.74, they often move in opposite directions. VIXM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
VIXM vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIXM achieves a -2.62% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 8.80% return. Over the past 10 years, VIXM has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of -12.35%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.14% annualized return.
VIXM
- 1D
- -0.87%
- 1M
- -5.47%
- YTD
- -2.62%
- 6M
- -1.13%
- 1Y
- -11.22%
- 3Y*
- -12.15%
- 5Y*
- -13.23%
- 10Y*
- -12.35%
VTI
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.86%
- YTD
- 8.80%
- 6M
- 7.33%
- 1Y
- 22.77%
- 3Y*
- 20.62%
- 5Y*
- 11.81%
- 10Y*
- 15.14%
VIXM vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | -2.62% | 5.60% | -13.67% | -44.83% | -0.69% | -16.70% | 72.38% | -20.38% | 26.43% | -50.05% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 8.80% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIXM and VTI is -0.68, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.68 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2011 | -0.74 |
The correlation between VIXM and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.74 to -0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIXM vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
VIXM
VTI
VIXM vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) 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.
| VIXM | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.91 | 1.32 | -0.41 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.72 | 2.56 | -3.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.35 | 11.37 | -12.72 |
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Drawdowns
VIXM vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIXM drawdown since its inception was -96.23%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIXM and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIXM | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -96.23% | -55.45% | -40.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.70% | -8.92% | -6.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -37.26% | -19.30% | -17.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -63.40% | -25.36% | -38.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -75.56% | -35.00% | -40.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -95.92% | -2.86% | -93.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -81.55% | -8.01% | -73.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.31% | 2.01% | +6.30% |
Volatility
VIXM vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF (VIXM) is 4.17%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.93%. This indicates that VIXM 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VIXM | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.17% | 4.93% | -0.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.05% | 10.02% | +4.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.72% | 12.80% | +5.92% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.62% | 17.50% | +13.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.67% | 18.31% | +14.36% |
VIXM vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIXM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIXM vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
VIXM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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 | 1.04% | 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
VIXM and VTI have a correlation of -0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to VIXM (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIXM dropped -96.23% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.14% vs -12.35% for VIXM. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VIXM has been the lower-risk option at 4.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.14% return vs -12.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for VIXM.
VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.00% for VIXM.
VIXM is categorized as Volatility, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. VIXM tracks S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for VIXM and 0.03% for VTI.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -0.61), 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.
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