ITOT vs VFIAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, ITOT yields more: 1.04% (dividend yield) against 0.79% for VFIAX. ITOT is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.04%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), VFIAX returned 11.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and ITOT 10.9%.
| Compared | ITOT | VFIAX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.04% | 0.79% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +11.9% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +23.1% | +23.2% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.0% | +12.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.8% | +15.4% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -48.1% | -48.4% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +407% | +418% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $95.5B | $1.7T |
| Started | 2004 | 2010 |
| Type | Large Blend | Large Blend |
Higher yield
ITOT
1.04%
Lower cost
ITOT
0.03%
Better total return
VFIAX
11.1%/yr
Smaller worst drop
ITOT
-48.1%
Key facts: ITOT vs VFIAX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ITOT yields 1.04% (dividend yield) and VFIAX yields 0.79% (dividend yield).
- ITOT's expense ratio is 0.03% and VFIAX's is 0.04%: $3 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in ITOT grew to $70,543 (10.9% a year) and $10,000 in VFIAX to $73,212 (11.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -48.1% for ITOT and -48.4% for VFIAX.
- 9 of ITOT's top ten holdings are also in VFIAX's top ten, an overlap of at least 32% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "ITOT vs VFIAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/itot-vs-vfiax
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
ITOT became
$70,543
10.9% a year
VFIAX became
$73,212
11.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | ITOT | VFIAX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +17.0% | +17.8% |
| 2024 | +23.8% | +25.0% |
| 2023 | +26.1% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −19.5% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +25.7% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +20.7% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +30.7% | +31.5% |
| 2018 | −5.3% | −4.5% |
| 2017 | +21.4% | +21.8% |
| 2016 | +12.6% | +11.9% |
| 2015 | +0.4% | +1.3% |
| 2014 | +13.5% | +13.7% |
| 2013 | +33.3% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +15.8% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +1.7% | +2.1% |
| 2010 | +16.3% | +15.0% |
| 2009 | +26.6% | +26.7% |
| 2008 | −36.4% | −37.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 32% of each fund.
ITOT
- AAPL Apple Inc6.9%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp6.7%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.2%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.2%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.1%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A1.8%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C1.8%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.5%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.5%
VFIAX
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.4%
- AAPL Apple Inc7.4%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.8%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A3.1%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.5%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.5%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.4%
- MU Micron Technology Inc1.8%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.5%
ITOT vs VFIAX: questions
Is ITOT or VFIAX better?
It depends on the job. ITOT pays more today (1.04% vs 0.79%), ITOT costs less, and VFIAX has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with ITOT holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, ITOT or VFIAX?
ITOT, at 1.04% against 0.79% for VFIAX as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $104 vs $79 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VFIAX. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 11.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 10.9% for ITOT. $10,000 became $73,212 vs $70,543.
Which is cheaper, ITOT or VFIAX?
ITOT, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.04%.
Do ITOT and VFIAX hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 32% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.