# ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VTI (Total US Stock Market)

> Source: BetterThanSPY research, https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vti
> Data as of October 22, 2026. Total returns include reinvested dividends. Past performance does not predict future results; nothing here is investment advice.

VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) screened against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs over 8 periods from 1 month to 10 years, with dividends reinvested. To make the list, an investment had to outperform VTI in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. "All-weather" means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Returns in the tables are total returns over each period; volatility and Sharpe ratio cover 5 years.

## 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

| Investment | Status | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 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](https://betterthanspy.com/research/qqq): Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | Fell short | 2/5 short, 3/3 long | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 |
| [VOO](https://betterthanspy.com/research/voo): Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Fell short | 2/5 short, 2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 16.9% | 0.79 |
| [IVV](https://betterthanspy.com/research/ivv): iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Fell short | 2/5 short, 2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.8% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 17.0% | 0.79 |
| [SPY](https://betterthanspy.com/research/spy): State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | Fell short | 2/5 short, 2/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2% | 0.78 |
| [SCHD](https://betterthanspy.com/research/schd): Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +5.8% | +8.5% | +16.0% | +30.8% | +35.7% | +72.3% | +62.8% | +256% | 14.4% | 0.75 |
| [RSP](https://betterthanspy.com/research/rsp): Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +2.5% | +3.0% | +8.6% | +14.5% | +16.8% | +68.3% | +49.6% | +214% | 16.1% | 0.58 |
| VTWV: Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF | Fell short | 2/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.6% | −3.6% | +4.3% | +18.2% | +22.4% | +77.7% | +41.7% | +152% | 21.4% | 0.43 |
| [DIA](https://betterthanspy.com/research/dia): State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | +1.9% | +1.6% | +7.4% | +10.4% | +15.0% | +68.1% | +61.3% | +251% | 14.8% | 0.72 |
| [ITOT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/itot): iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −1.5% | +1.8% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.4% | +71.5% | +297% | 17.4% | 0.71 |
| IWV: iShares Russell 3000 ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −1.3% | +2.1% | +7.4% | +12.4% | +15.1% | +86.5% | +70.9% | +293% | 17.3% | 0.71 |
| [SCHB](https://betterthanspy.com/research/schb): Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.5% | +1.8% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.2% | +87.3% | +71.6% | +282% | 17.3% | 0.71 |
| [VB](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vb): Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −1.0% | −2.3% | +2.1% | +11.4% | +15.1% | +68.6% | +35.2% | +179% | 20.6% | 0.40 |
| [IWM](https://betterthanspy.com/research/iwm): iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.7% | −5.6% | +0.6% | +12.0% | +14.8% | +73.3% | +29.4% | +157% | 22.4% | 0.34 |
| [VXUS](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vxus): Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −5.4% | −1.9% | +0.8% | +8.9% | +14.3% | +75.1% | +47.2% | +137% | 16.4% | 0.56 |

## ETFs that consistently outperformed VTI

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | 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 |  |  |
| CIBR: First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +0.2% | +15.1% | +49.3% | +45.8% | +35.2% | +134% | +96.7% | +461% | 26.2% | 0.65 | 0.58% | $17B |
| UGA: United States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −0.6% | +16.0% | +32.8% | +132% | +125% | +117% | +227% | +401% | 35.1% | 0.85 | 1.08% | $167M |
| HACK: Amplify Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +0.6% | +15.7% | +51.5% | +54.8% | +42.0% | +142% | +87.4% | +381% | 25.8% | 0.62 | 0.60% | $3.3B |
| BNO: United States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +19.0% | +34.0% | +36.4% | +144% | +139% | +118% | +205% | +359% | 37.1% | 0.79 | 1.15% | $768M |
| CRAK: VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +0.5% | +15.8% | +36.4% | +69.7% | +74.3% | +118% | +143% | +325% | 20.9% | 0.96 | 0.61% | $810M |
| [VGT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/vgt): Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1% | 0.77 | 0.09% | $178B |
| FTEC: Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −6.1% | +2.6% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.9% | +136% | +132% | +737% | 26.1% | 0.78 | 0.08% | $22B |
| RSPT: Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −3.9% | +6.2% | +21.6% | +40.0% | +43.0% | +141% | +116% | +559% | 25.1% | 0.74 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| IOO: iShares Global 100 ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −1.9% | +2.9% | +8.2% | +13.3% | +19.6% | +103% | +107% | +357% | 17.2% | 0.94 | 0.40% | $9.2B |
| [SMH](https://betterthanspy.com/research/smh): VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −13.8% | −10.8% | +9.8% | +40.2% | +55.0% | +272% | +304% | +1,570% | 37.0% | 0.94 | 0.35% | $66B |
| [SOXX](https://betterthanspy.com/research/soxx): iShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −17.0% | −14.3% | +10.3% | +51.9% | +68.0% | +219% | +221% | +1,297% | 39.0% | 0.80 | 0.33% | $39B |
| FTXL: First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −16.0% | −12.2% | +9.3% | +56.8% | +81.8% | +234% | +220% | +1,019% | 39.0% | 0.79 | 0.60% | $1.2B |
| IYW: iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −6.4% | +2.4% | +16.3% | +24.7% | +26.1% | +138% | +135% | +773% | 26.7% | 0.78 | 0.37% | $24B |
| [XLK](https://betterthanspy.com/research/xlk): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1% | 0.80 | 0.08% | $125B |
| IXN: iShares Global Tech ETF | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −8.8% | −0.5% | +14.3% | +28.7% | +31.1% | +140% | +137% | +693% | 26.2% | 0.79 | 0.37% | $9.1B |

## Stocks that consistently outperformed VTI

| Investment | Periods outperformed | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatility | Sharpe | 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 |  |
| [NTRA](https://betterthanspy.com/research/ntra): Natera, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +2.7% | +51.9% | +93.2% | +75.4% | +113% | +901% | +249% | +3,934% | 57.6% | 0.73 | $58B |
| [FTNT](https://betterthanspy.com/research/ftnt): Fortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −0.7% | +11.6% | +98.6% | +122% | +104% | +208% | +158% | +2,668% | 44.8% | 0.65 | $127B |
| BWLP: BW LPG Limited | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +1.2% | +20.7% | +46.1% | +116% | +129% | +232% | +966% | +2,648% | 50.9% | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| MEDP: Medpace Holdings, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +3.8% | +23.8% | +28.6% | +14.5% | +19.6% | +187% | +250% | +2,003% | 52.1% | 0.73 | $18B |
| [LLY](https://betterthanspy.com/research/lly): Eli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +11.7% | +12.5% | +42.3% | +21.5% | +61.9% | +131% | +461% | +1,870% | 32.8% | 1.22 | $1.2T |
| COKE: Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.5% | +16.7% | +15.1% | +44.1% | +67.4% | +257% | +468% | +1,564% | 38.0% | 1.11 | $14B |
| [MPC](https://betterthanspy.com/research/mpc): Marathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +17.9% | +45.8% | +108% | +181% | +148% | +226% | +660% | +1,314% | 33.4% | 1.39 | $129B |
| CVI: CVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.5% | +68.6% | +88.5% | +134% | +62.6% | +105% | +289% | +1,306% | 52.4% | 0.79 | $5.9B |
| WSM: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.4% | +17.7% | +33.1% | +40.7% | +40.7% | +249% | +202% | +1,298% | 44.4% | 0.72 | $31B |
| FRO: Frontline Plc | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +6.9% | +41.8% | +62.0% | +182% | +148% | +222% | +762% | +1,270% | 49.7% | 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.

## More research

- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed SPY (S&P 500)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-spy)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VOO (S&P 500)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-voo)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed QQQ (Nasdaq-100)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-qqq)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed DIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-dia)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed IWM (Russell 2000 Small Caps)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-iwm)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VXUS (International Stocks)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vxus)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed NVDA (Nvidia)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-nvda)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed AAPL (Apple)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-aapl)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed MSFT (Microsoft)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-msft)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed AMZN (Amazon)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-amzn)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed GOOG (Alphabet)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-goog)
- [ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed META (Meta Platforms)](https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-meta)

## Explore further

- Full page: https://betterthanspy.com/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vti
- All research pages: https://betterthanspy.com/llms.txt