NTSX vs VTI: WisdomTree Efficient Core vs Vanguard Total Market
VTI is the simplest US equity fund. NTSX is one of the most conceptually interesting ETFs: it uses leverage on Treasuries to build a 90/10 stock-to-bond fund that behaves like a 60/40 portfolio in a single holding.
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market) holds the entire US stock market at 0.03%: 3,700 stocks, market-cap weighted. NTSX (WisdomTree US Efficient Core) holds 90% in S&P 500 futures and 10% in US Treasury bond futures, using leverage to approximate the return of a 60/40 stock-bond portfolio in a single ETF at 0.20%. The theory: by using 10% collateral to control 60% of bond exposure through futures, NTSX gets both equity returns and bond diversification without sacrificing equity return. In practice, NTSX has performed remarkably well when both stocks and bonds generate positive returns. In 2022, when both fell simultaneously, NTSX declined significantly, demonstrating that correlations between stocks and bonds can break. NTSX is a genuinely clever portfolio construction tool, but it requires understanding of leverage, futures roll costs, and stock-bond correlation regimes. Most investors are better served by VTI's simplicity.
Whether the lower-cost fund suits your situation depends on your existing holdings, account type, tax situation, and how you use each fund. This is a cost comparison, not a personalized recommendation.
📋 NTSX vs VTI — Key Facts Side by Side
| Metric | NTSX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares |
| Issuer | WisdomTree | Vanguard |
| Tracks Index | Active (90% S&P 500 + 10% Treasury futures) | CRSP US Total Market Index |
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03% ✓ |
| Cost per $10K/yr | $20.00 | $3.00 |
| AUM | $1.4B | $2,202.6B |
| Holdings | 508 | 3,700 |
| Inception | 2018 | 2001 |
| 1-Year Return | +18.38% | +21.11% |
| 3-Year Return | +19.10% | +20.97% |
| 5-Year Return | +8.81% | +12.10% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 1.05% |
| Holdings Overlap | See holdings overlap → | |
| Avg Bid-Ask Spread | 0.05% | 0.00% |
Expense ratio, AUM, and returns updated Jul 14, 2026 from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.
📊 NTSX vs VTI — Annualised Returns
Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🎯 Which Fund Fits Which Investor?
- already use WisdomTree and prefer staying within one fund family
- want the lowest fees: saves ~$17/yr per $10K vs NTSX
- want broader diversification (3,700 holdings vs 508)
- want the entire US stock market: large, mid, and small cap in one fund
💰 What the Fee Difference Actually Costs
Adjust the numbers for your situation. This models each fund's expense ratio compounding against your balance over time.
Assumes a constant annual return reinvested, with each fund's expense ratio deducted yearly. Illustrative only; actual returns vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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❓ NTSX vs VTI — Frequently Asked Questions
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