FLAU vs VTI
Franklin FTSE Australia ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FLAU or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.0%.
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 | FLAU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $221M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.13% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 110 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.69% | +13.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.36% | +16.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.57% | +22.11%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.55% | +11.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 16.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,733 | $17,584Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.0% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2017 to Oct 15, 2026 (8.9 years).
FLAU 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
FLAU vs VTI Performance
Franklin FTSE Australia ETF (FLAU) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FLAU returned +10.36% while VTI returned +16.55%. Year to date, FLAU is up 9.69% versus a gain of 13.48% for VTI.
Over three years, FLAU compounded at +14.57% per year against +22.11% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.55% and +11.95% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.40% annualized vs +6.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 16.7% 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 -46.0% for FLAU and -35.0% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAU charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAU currently yields 3.13% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
4.1% of FLAU's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
FLAU and VTI share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in FLAU and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 110 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,155 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FLAU (97.7% of the fund), and 2 for FLAU that do not appear in VTI (0.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLAU and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FLAU or VTI?
FLAU has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLAU or VTI?
Over the past year FLAU returned +10.36% vs +16.55% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLAU annualized +6.20% vs +13.40% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLAU or VTI?
FLAU has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 16.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FLAU -46.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FLAU and VTI?
FLAU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 FLAU and VTI?
4.1% of FLAU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings FLAU also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in FLAU and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLAU or VTI?
FLAU yields 3.13% while VTI yields 1.06%, so FLAU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FLAU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.