FGD vs VTI
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FGD or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 17.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | FGD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.78% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 212 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +11.71% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.15%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.78%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.63% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.2% | -55.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,334 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.4%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 27, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (18.9 years).
FGD 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 18.9 years both funds cover.
FGD vs VTI Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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 FGD returned +22.15% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, FGD is up 11.71% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, FGD compounded at +23.78% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.63% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.72% annualized vs +2.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 16.1% 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 -70.2% for FGD and -55.3% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGD charges 0.56% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $3 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGD currently yields 5.78% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
21.3% of FGD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.8% of VTI's money is in holdings FGD also owns.
FGD and VTI share little of their money.
19 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 212 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,142 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FGD (96.8% of the fund), and 2 for FGD that do not appear in VTI (2.7%).
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 FGD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHIRobert Half International Inc. | 2.34% | 0.01% | 2.33% |
| HPQHP Inc | 1.86% | 0.04% | 1.82% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.33% | 0.02% | 1.31% |
| OMFOnemain Holdings Inc | 1.30% | 0.01% | 1.29% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 1.29% | 0.01% | 1.28% |
| NWBINorthwest Bancshares Inc | 1.28% | 0.00% | 1.28% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 1.07% | 0.15% | 0.92% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.89% | 0.25% | 0.64% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc | 1.06% | 0.06% | 1.00% |
| TROWT Rowe Price Group Inc | 1.07% | 0.03% | 1.04% |
21.3% of FGD 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, FGD or VTI?
FGD has an expense ratio of 0.56% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGD or VTI?
Over the past year FGD returned +22.15% vs +16.63% for VTI, so FGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FGD annualized +2.28% vs +9.72% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGD or VTI?
FGD has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FGD -70.2% vs VTI -55.3%.
Should I hold both FGD and VTI?
FGD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FGD and VTI?
21.3% of FGD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.8% of VTI's is in holdings FGD also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGD or VTI?
FGD yields 5.78% while VTI yields 1.06%, so FGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FGD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 17.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.