FBT vs VTI
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FBT or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FBT led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%.
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 | FBT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 62 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +26.59%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +42.61%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.08%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.93% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.8% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,054 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.0% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.3 years).
FBT 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
FBT vs VTI Performance
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) 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 FBT returned +42.61% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, FBT is up 26.59% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, FBT compounded at +22.08% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.93% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, FBT has the edge at +13.65% annualized vs +9.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.8% compared with 15.7% 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 -40.5% for FBT and -56.6% 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FBT charges 0.54% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $3 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FBT currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
82.6% of FBT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's money is in holdings FBT also owns.
Most of FBT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
25 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FBT and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 62 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 FBT (96.5% of the fund), and 0 for FBT that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 FBT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTRANatera Inc | 4.74% | 0.06% | 4.68% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 4.49% | 0.02% | 4.47% |
| ILMNIllumina Inc. | 4.47% | 0.04% | 4.43% |
| NEONeogenomics Inc | 4.08% | 0.00% | 4.08% |
| CORTCorcept Therapeutics Inc | 3.94% | 0.01% | 3.93% |
| RGENRepligen Corp | 3.93% | 0.01% | 3.92% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc | 3.46% | 0.31% | 3.15% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 3.47% | 0.25% | 3.22% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals | 3.45% | 0.11% | 3.34% |
| BIIBBiogen Inc | 3.44% | 0.04% | 3.40% |
82.6% of FBT 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, FBT or VTI?
FBT has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FBT or VTI?
Over the past year FBT returned +42.61% vs +16.63% for VTI, so FBT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FBT annualized +13.65% vs +9.75% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FBT or VTI?
FBT has been the more volatile fund at 22.8% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FBT -40.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FBT and VTI?
FBT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 FBT and VTI?
82.6% of FBT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's is in holdings FBT also owns. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FBT and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FBT or VTI?
FBT yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FBT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FBT led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.