Benchmark research · Total US Stock Market
ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VTI (Total US Stock Market)
Any investment can look great over a single hand-picked timeframe. To find what truly kept ahead of VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF), we screened VTI against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs across 8 different time windows from 1 month to 10 years, including reinvested dividends. A contender had to come out ahead in both the short term and the long term to make the list. Data as of October 22, 2026.
Compare the entire market against VTI live →Key findings
- How hard it was to top VTI: VTI was difficult to top consistently. Of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs screened, 56 of 953 eligible ETFs (5.9%) and 249 of 1,502 eligible stocks (17%) outperformed in a majority of both the short-term and long-term periods. Nine ETFs and 91 stocks were all-weather, meaning they outperformed in every long-term period and all but one short-term period.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
- Popular alternatives: QQQ outperformed in 2 of 5 short-term periods and 3 of 3 long-term periods, while VOO, IVV, and SPY each outperformed in 2 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. SCHD and RSP had stronger recent results, each outperforming in 5 of 5 short-term periods, but neither outperformed in any of the 3 long-term periods. ITOT and IWV tied VTI in every period.
- Top ETFs: Technology led the top ETF group, with 8 of the 15 shown in that category. CIBR and HACK, both focused on cybersecurity, and VGT and FTEC, both focused on information technology, were among the standouts. Commodities and energy funds also appeared among the leaders.
- Top stocks: 249 stocks made the consistency cut. The leading names shown include healthcare stocks NTRA, MEDP, and LLY, as well as technology stock FTNT. The top stocks also included companies in industrials, consumer staples, and energy.
- The risk trade-off: The leading ETFs and stocks generally had larger price swings than VTI over 5 years. The top ETFs had median volatility of 26.2% versus 17.5% for VTI, and 13 of 15 had a higher Sharpe ratio, a measure of return relative to risk. The top stocks were bumpier still, with median volatility of 47.2%; 9 of 10 had a higher Sharpe ratio than VTI.
How popular alternatives compare
Well-known funds and stocks investors often compare against VTI, sorted by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | ||
| VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (benchmark) | — | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5% | 0.71 |
| QQQ Fell shortInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 2/5 short3/3 long | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0%1.3× VTI | 0.69 |
| VOO Fell shortVanguard S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 16.9%1.0× VTI | 0.79 |
| IVV Fell shortiShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.8% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 17.0%1.0× VTI | 0.79 |
| SPY Fell shortState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2%1.0× VTI | 0.78 |
| SCHD Fell shortSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | 5/5 short0/3 long | +5.8% | +8.5% | +16.0% | +30.8% | +35.7% | +72.3% | +62.8% | +256% | 14.4%0.8× VTI | 0.75 |
| RSP Fell shortInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | 5/5 short0/3 long | +2.5% | +3.0% | +8.6% | +14.5% | +16.8% | +68.3% | +49.6% | +214% | 16.1%0.9× VTI | 0.58 |
| VTWV Fell shortVanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | −1.6% | −3.6% | +4.3% | +18.2% | +22.4% | +77.7% | +41.7% | +152% | 21.4%1.2× VTI | 0.43 |
| DIA Fell shortState Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | 1/5 short0/3 long | +1.9% | +1.6% | +7.4% | +10.4% | +15.0% | +68.1% | +61.3% | +251% | 14.8%0.8× VTI | 0.72 |
| ITOT Same indexiShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | ≈ Same returns | −1.5% | +1.8% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.4% | +71.5% | +297% | 17.4%1.0× VTI | 0.71 |
| IWV Same indexiShares Russell 3000 ETF | ≈ Same returns | −1.3% | +2.1% | +7.4% | +12.4% | +15.1% | +86.5% | +70.9% | +293% | 17.3%1.0× VTI | 0.71 |
| SCHB Fell shortSchwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.5% | +1.8% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.2% | +87.3% | +71.6% | +282% | 17.3%1.0× VTI | 0.71 |
| VB Fell shortVanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −1.0% | −2.3% | +2.1% | +11.4% | +15.1% | +68.6% | +35.2% | +179% | 20.6%1.2× VTI | 0.40 |
| IWM Fell shortiShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −3.7% | −5.6% | +0.6% | +12.0% | +14.8% | +73.3% | +29.4% | +157% | 22.4%1.3× VTI | 0.34 |
| VXUS Fell shortVanguard Total International Stock ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.4% | −1.9% | +0.8% | +8.9% | +14.3% | +75.1% | +47.2% | +137% | 16.4%0.9× VTI | 0.56 |
ETFs that consistently outperformed VTI
Top 15 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Green cells outperformed VTI in that period. Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Expense | Assets | |||
| — | VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (benchmark) | — | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5% | 0.71 | ||
| 1 | CIBR TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.2% | +15.1% | +49.3% | +45.8% | +35.2% | +134% | +96.7% | +461% | 26.2%1.5× VTI | 0.65 | 0.58% | $17B |
| 2 | UGA CommoditiesUnited States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.6% | +16.0% | +32.8% | +132% | +125% | +117% | +227% | +401% | 35.1%2.0× VTI | 0.85 | 1.08% | $167M |
| 3 | HACK TechnologyAmplify Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.6% | +15.7% | +51.5% | +54.8% | +42.0% | +142% | +87.4% | +381% | 25.8%1.5× VTI | 0.62 | 0.60% | $3.3B |
| 4 | BNO CommoditiesUnited States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +19.0% | +34.0% | +36.4% | +144% | +139% | +118% | +205% | +359% | 37.1%2.1× VTI | 0.79 | 1.15% | $768M |
| 5 | CRAK EnergyVanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +0.5% | +15.8% | +36.4% | +69.7% | +74.3% | +118% | +143% | +325% | 20.9%1.2× VTI | 0.96 | 0.61% | $810M |
| 6 | VGT TechnologyVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1%1.5× VTI | 0.77 | 0.09% | $178B |
| 7 | FTEC TechnologyFidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.6% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.9% | +136% | +132% | +737% | 26.1%1.5× VTI | 0.78 | 0.08% | $22B |
| 8 | RSPT TechnologyInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.9% | +6.2% | +21.6% | +40.0% | +43.0% | +141% | +116% | +559% | 25.1%1.4× VTI | 0.74 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| 9 | IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.9% | +2.9% | +8.2% | +13.3% | +19.6% | +103% | +107% | +357% | 17.2%1.0× VTI | 0.94 | 0.40% | $9.2B |
| 10 | SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −13.8% | −10.8% | +9.8% | +40.2% | +55.0% | +272% | +304% | +1,570% | 37.0%2.1× VTI | 0.94 | 0.35% | $66B |
| 11 | SOXX Broad MarketiShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −17.0% | −14.3% | +10.3% | +51.9% | +68.0% | +219% | +221% | +1,297% | 39.0%2.2× VTI | 0.80 | 0.33% | $39B |
| 12 | FTXL TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −16.0% | −12.2% | +9.3% | +56.8% | +81.8% | +234% | +220% | +1,019% | 39.0%2.2× VTI | 0.79 | 0.60% | $1.2B |
| 13 | IYW Broad MarketiShares U.S. Technology ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −6.4% | +2.4% | +16.3% | +24.7% | +26.1% | +138% | +135% | +773% | 26.7%1.5× VTI | 0.78 | 0.37% | $24B |
| 14 | XLK TechnologyState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1%1.5× VTI | 0.80 | 0.08% | $125B |
| 15 | IXN InternationaliShares Global Tech ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −8.8% | −0.5% | +14.3% | +28.7% | +31.1% | +140% | +137% | +693% | 26.2%1.5× VTI | 0.79 | 0.37% | $9.1B |
Stocks that consistently outperformed VTI
Top 10 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Individual stocks swing far more than funds; check the volatility column.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Company | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Market cap | |||
| — | VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (benchmark) | — | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5% | 0.71 | |
| 1 | NTRA Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchNatera, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.7% | +51.9% | +93.2% | +75.4% | +113% | +901% | +249% | +3,934% | 57.6%3.3× VTI | 0.73 | $58B |
| 2 | FTNT Software - InfrastructureFortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.7% | +11.6% | +98.6% | +122% | +104% | +208% | +158% | +2,668% | 44.8%2.6× VTI | 0.65 | $127B |
| 3 | BWLP Marine ShippingBW LPG Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +1.2% | +20.7% | +46.1% | +116% | +129% | +232% | +966% | +2,648% | 50.9%2.9× VTI | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| 4 | MEDP Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchMedpace Holdings, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +3.8% | +23.8% | +28.6% | +14.5% | +19.6% | +187% | +250% | +2,003% | 52.1%3.0× VTI | 0.73 | $18B |
| 5 | LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +11.7% | +12.5% | +42.3% | +21.5% | +61.9% | +131% | +461% | +1,870% | 32.8%1.9× VTI | 1.22 | $1.2T |
| 6 | COKE Beverages - Non-AlcoholicCoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +16.7% | +15.1% | +44.1% | +67.4% | +257% | +468% | +1,564% | 38.0%2.2× VTI | 1.11 | $14B |
| 7 | MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +17.9% | +45.8% | +108% | +181% | +148% | +226% | +660% | +1,314% | 33.4%1.9× VTI | 1.39 | $129B |
| 8 | CVI Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingCVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +68.6% | +88.5% | +134% | +62.6% | +105% | +289% | +1,306% | 52.4%3.0× VTI | 0.79 | $5.9B |
| 9 | WSM Specialty RetailWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.4% | +17.7% | +33.1% | +40.7% | +40.7% | +249% | +202% | +1,298% | 44.4%2.5× VTI | 0.72 | $31B |
| 10 | FRO Marine ShippingFrontline Plc | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +6.9% | +41.8% | +62.0% | +182% | +148% | +222% | +762% | +1,270% | 49.7%2.8× VTI | 1.12 | $11B |
What stands out
Technology was the largest source of ETF standouts, while the leading stocks came from a wider mix that included healthcare, technology, industrials, consumer staples, and energy. The consistency test required outperformance across both short-term and long-term periods, so these results were not limited to a recent run. Still, the eligible groups were selective: only 56 ETFs and 249 stocks met the rule.
The risk figures show that higher returns came with a bumpier ride. Among the top ETFs shown, only 1 of 15 was less volatile than VTI, while 13 of 15 had a higher Sharpe ratio. None of the top stocks shown was less volatile, though 9 of 10 had a higher Sharpe ratio. That suggests most of these stocks delivered more return per unit of risk over the measured period, but with much larger price swings.
Methodology
- Short-term periods: 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y. Long-term periods: 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than VTI's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of VTI's (whichever is larger) count as a tie and are shown in gray.
- Consistent means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods, so a recent hot streak alone is not enough. All-weather means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Rankings use long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then the 10Y return.
- Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
- 4 ETFs that track essentially the same returns as VTI (ITOT, IWV, VTHR, IYY) are excluded, since tiny fee differences decide whether they finish ahead.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years. The Sharpe ratio is return above cash divided by volatility over the same period: higher means more return per unit of risk.
- Returns and risk figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update with each market day. Past performance does not predict future results.