EKG vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EKG or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.1%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EKG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 78 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +22.13%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +32.20%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.42% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.4% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -22.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $11,694 | $18,007Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.1% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 23, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.6 years).
EKG vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.6 years both funds cover.
EKG vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EKG returned +32.20% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, EKG is up 22.13% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, EKG compounded at +20.42% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EKG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.4% compared with 15.9% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -43.8% for EKG and -22.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EKG charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EKG currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.0% of EKG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's money is in holdings EKG also owns.
Most of EKG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
48 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 78 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,136 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for EKG (96.9% of the fund), and 2 for EKG that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EKG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTRANatera Inc | 9.62% | 0.06% | 9.56% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc. | 7.85% | 0.18% | 7.67% |
| IQVI Q V I A Holdings Inc. | 7.46% | 0.06% | 7.40% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 7.21% | 0.06% | 7.15% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 7.07% | 0.05% | 7.02% |
| ILMNIllumina, Inc. | 4.82% | 0.04% | 4.78% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 4.22% | 0.03% | 4.19% |
| RMDResmed Inc. | 3.43% | 0.05% | 3.38% |
| GMEDGlobus Medical, Inc. (class A) | 3.25% | 0.01% | 3.24% |
| TEMTempus Pe | 3.05% | 0.01% | 3.04% |
96.0% of EKG is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EKG or VTI?
EKG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EKG or VTI?
Over the past year EKG returned +32.20% vs +16.63% for VTI, so EKG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EKG or VTI?
EKG has been the more volatile fund at 26.4% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EKG -43.8% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both EKG and VTI?
EKG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EKG and VTI?
96.0% of EKG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's is in holdings EKG also owns. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EKG or VTI?
EKG yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EKG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.