VTI and SCHB Both Offer Total Stock Market Exposure, But One Might Have an Edge for Some Investors

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) are nearly interchangeable for most investors, with matched expense ratios, dividend yields, and performance, but VTI has a larger size and slightly broader diversification [2][9] Cost & Size Comparison - Both SCHB and VTI have an expense ratio of 0.03% and a dividend yield of 1.14%. As of November 17, 2025, SCHB has an AUM of $37.35 billion while VTI has $2.02 trillion [4][5] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over the past five years, SCHB experienced a maximum drawdown of -25.40% while VTI had a drawdown of -25.36%. A $1,000 investment would have grown to $1,785 in SCHB and $1,779 in VTI [6] Portfolio Composition - VTI includes 3,529 stocks and has a sector allocation typical of the U.S. market, with technology at 34%, financial services at 13%, and consumer cyclicals at 11%. The largest holdings are Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, each under 10% of total assets [7] - SCHB holds 2,435 stocks with a nearly identical sector mix and top holdings that mirror VTI's, avoiding major tilts and unusual constraints [8] Overall Comparison - Both SCHB and VTI charge identical ultra-low fees and have matching dividend yields. VTI holds more stocks and is significantly larger, but their recent returns and risk metrics are nearly indistinguishable [9][10]