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

> Source: EasyCompare research, https://easycompare.io/research/etfs-and-stocks-that-outperform-vti
> Data as of October 20, 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: The bar was high. Of 953 eligible ETFs, 59 (6.2%) outperformed VTI in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods; 23 were all-weather, outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Among 1,502 eligible stocks, 248 (17%) cleared the consistency bar and 87 were all-weather.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
  - Popular alternatives: QQQ outperformed in 3 of 5 short-term periods and all 3 long-term periods, while VOO, IVV, and SPY each outperformed in 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods. SCHD was stronger recently, with 5 of 5 short-term periods, but had 0 of 3 long-term periods. ITOT and IWV tied VTI in every period.
  - Top ETFs: Technology was the largest category among the top ETFs, with 7 of the 15 shown. DXJ, BNO, and CRAK each outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods; VGT also outperformed in all 3 long-term periods and 4 of 5 short-term periods.
  - Top stocks: 248 stocks met the consistency rule. The top 10 shown include healthcare names NTRA, LLY, and CORT, along with energy companies CVI and MPC. Each of those stocks outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- The risk trade-off: Over 5 years, the top ETFs and stocks were all more volatile than VTI. The top ETFs had median volatility of 26.0% versus 17.5% for VTI, while the top stocks had median volatility of 42.4%. Most also had higher Sharpe ratios, a measure of return relative to risk: 11 of 15 ETFs and 9 of 10 stocks topped VTI's 0.71.

## 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) |  |  | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +87.9% | +72.6% | +302% | 17.5% | 0.71 |
| [QQQ](https://easycompare.io/research/qqq): Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | Made the list | 3/5 short, 3/3 long | −3.2% | +3.2% | +11.2% | +17.4% | +17.9% | +106% | +97.2% | +553% | 23.0% | 0.71 |
| [VOO](https://easycompare.io/research/voo): Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Made the list | 3/5 short, 2/3 long | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 16.9% | 0.80 |
| [IVV](https://easycompare.io/research/ivv): iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | Made the list | 3/5 short, 2/3 long | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 17.0% | 0.80 |
| [SPY](https://easycompare.io/research/spy): State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | Made the list | 3/5 short, 2/3 long | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.3% | +81.7% | +321% | 17.1% | 0.79 |
| [SCHD](https://easycompare.io/research/schd): Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF | Fell short | 5/5 short, 0/3 long | +3.7% | +6.8% | +13.6% | +28.2% | +33.0% | +67.5% | +59.1% | +252% | 14.3% | 0.72 |
| VTWV: Vanguard Russell 2000 Value ETF | Fell short | 2/5 short, 0/3 long | −2.3% | −4.1% | +2.6% | +16.9% | +19.3% | +74.6% | +40.1% | +151% | 21.4% | 0.42 |
| [DIA](https://easycompare.io/research/dia): State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | +0.9% | +1.6% | +6.8% | +9.6% | +13.9% | +66.1% | +60.6% | +250% | 14.8% | 0.72 |
| [RSP](https://easycompare.io/research/rsp): Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | Fell short | 1/5 short, 0/3 long | +1.5% | +2.0% | +6.7% | +13.3% | +15.5% | +65.4% | +48.6% | +211% | 16.1% | 0.57 |
| [ITOT](https://easycompare.io/research/itot): iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.2% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +88.0% | +72.7% | +301% | 17.4% | 0.72 |
| IWV: iShares Russell 3000 ETF | Same index | about the same returns | −0.7% | +3.3% | +8.2% | +12.9% | +15.0% | +86.9% | +72.0% | +297% | 17.3% | 0.72 |
| [SCHB](https://easycompare.io/research/schb): Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −0.9% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +88.0% | +72.9% | +286% | 17.3% | 0.72 |
| [VB](https://easycompare.io/research/vb): Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −0.8% | −1.8% | +1.3% | +11.2% | +13.7% | +66.8% | +35.2% | +179% | 20.6% | 0.40 |
| [IWM](https://easycompare.io/research/iwm): iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.4% | −5.4% | −0.1% | +11.6% | +12.3% | +71.3% | +29.0% | +158% | 22.4% | 0.34 |
| [VXUS](https://easycompare.io/research/vxus): Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | Fell short | 0/5 short, 0/3 long | −3.9% | +1.0% | +0.9% | +10.2% | +14.6% | +77.2% | +48.6% | +140% | 16.4% | 0.57 |

## 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) |  | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +87.9% | +72.6% | +302% | 17.5% | 0.71 |  |  |
| DXJ: WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | 0.0% | +4.7% | +9.9% | +25.0% | +36.4% | +127% | +225% | +428% | 19.1% | 1.34 | 0.48% | $8.1B |
| BNO: United States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +13.6% | +35.6% | +40.9% | +137% | +141% | +108% | +196% | +348% | 37.1% | 0.77 | 1.15% | $768M |
| CRAK: VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +1.6% | +20.3% | +41.5% | +73.9% | +81.5% | +121% | +146% | +336% | 20.9% | 0.97 | 0.61% | $810M |
| IYW: iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.2% | +5.6% | +20.4% | +26.8% | +27.0% | +143% | +138% | +805% | 26.6% | 0.79 | 0.37% | $24B |
| [VGT](https://easycompare.io/research/vgt): Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +26.7% | +138% | +133% | +779% | 26.0% | 0.78 | 0.09% | $178B |
| [XLK](https://easycompare.io/research/xlk): State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.8% | +5.7% | +20.3% | +29.0% | +29.3% | +131% | +143% | +767% | 26.0% | 0.82 | 0.08% | $125B |
| FTEC: Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +27.0% | +139% | +135% | +763% | 26.1% | 0.79 | 0.08% | $22B |
| XNTK: State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −6.7% | +3.7% | +18.9% | +27.2% | +26.2% | +168% | +119% | +728% | 29.3% | 0.68 | 0.35% | $2.0B |
| IXN: iShares Global Tech ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −6.2% | +4.4% | +19.3% | +31.2% | +32.0% | +145% | +141% | +720% | 26.2% | 0.81 | 0.37% | $9.1B |
| IGM: iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −5.1% | +4.5% | +16.2% | +24.4% | +24.3% | +156% | +130% | +720% | 26.5% | 0.76 | 0.37% | $11B |
| RSPT: Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −2.8% | +8.4% | +24.4% | +41.0% | +42.9% | +141% | +119% | +572% | 25.1% | 0.75 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| EWT: iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −7.2% | +11.9% | +28.4% | +65.7% | +69.7% | +195% | +153% | +468% | 24.2% | 0.89 | 0.59% | $12B |
| CIBR: First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −2.6% | +9.4% | +49.9% | +42.4% | +31.9% | +127% | +93.2% | +454% | 26.1% | 0.64 | 0.58% | $17B |
| [SPYG](https://easycompare.io/research/spyg): State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −2.4% | +4.0% | +9.9% | +13.9% | +15.8% | +110% | +86.5% | +418% | 21.5% | 0.69 | 0.04% | $57B |
| VOOG: Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF | 4/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | −2.3% | +4.0% | +9.9% | +13.9% | +15.8% | +110% | +86.0% | +416% | 21.6% | 0.69 | 0.07% | $28B |

## 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) |  | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +87.9% | +72.6% | +302% | 17.5% | 0.71 |  |
| [NTRA](https://easycompare.io/research/ntra): Natera, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +9.5% | +54.6% | +95.4% | +77.4% | +115% | +896% | +261% | +3,841% | 57.6% | 0.74 | $59B |
| [LLY](https://easycompare.io/research/lly): Eli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +10.2% | +12.1% | +40.0% | +19.4% | +59.7% | +124% | +451% | +1,807% | 32.8% | 1.21 | $1.2T |
| CORT: Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +2.4% | +27.2% | +151% | +205% | +48.2% | +317% | +498% | +1,593% | 75.9% | 0.81 | $13B |
| COKE: Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.3% | +17.3% | +14.9% | +42.9% | +61.7% | +255% | +461% | +1,569% | 38.0% | 1.10 | $14B |
| CVI: CVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +16.4% | +79.1% | +106% | +147% | +78.5% | +115% | +304% | +1,424% | 52.3% | 0.80 | $6.2B |
| [MPC](https://easycompare.io/research/mpc): Marathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +18.1% | +51.1% | +123% | +191% | +159% | +234% | +690% | +1,387% | 33.4% | 1.41 | $133B |
| WSM: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +12.2% | +14.1% | +26.5% | +37.0% | +35.6% | +238% | +199% | +1,268% | 44.4% | 0.71 | $30B |
| HALO: Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +11.6% | +61.3% | +78.8% | +76.9% | +87.1% | +254% | +226% | +1,196% | 40.4% | 0.79 | $14B |
| FRO: Frontline Plc | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +1.0% | +43.2% | +49.3% | +177% | +144% | +215% | +726% | +1,194% | 49.7% | 1.10 | $11B |
| [AAPL](https://easycompare.io/research/aapl): Apple Inc. | 5/5 short, 3/3 long, all-weather | +0.2% | +4.0% | +24.6% | +25.6% | +29.9% | +99.0% | +133% | +1,168% | 28.0% | 0.75 | $5.0T |

## What stands out

The ETF leaders span technology, international stocks, commodities, and energy, but technology was the largest group among the top ETFs. DXJ, BNO, and CRAK kept ahead across both the short-term and long-term periods, while the technology funds named here also had strong long-term records. The stock leaders came from a narrower set of sectors, especially healthcare and energy. The screen also shows that broad-market alternatives did not all keep pace: QQQ and the S&P 500 funds qualified, but several popular funds fell short on the long-term periods.

The return advantage came with a bumpier ride. Over 5 years, none of the top ETFs or top stocks was less volatile than VTI, and the top stocks had median volatility roughly double or more than the benchmark. Still, most of each group had higher Sharpe ratios, suggesting that their added volatility generally came with enough relative return to improve risk-adjusted performance over that period. These comparisons describe past results, not a guarantee of future performance.

## More research

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

## Explore further

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