FTLS vs VTI
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTLS or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FTLS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 363 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.83% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.43% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.42% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.59% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,542 | $17,616Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.1 years).
FTLS 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 12.1 years both funds cover.
FTLS vs VTI Performance
First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) 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 FTLS returned +13.43% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, FTLS is up 9.83% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, FTLS compounded at +14.42% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.59% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.03% annualized vs +8.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 8.7% for FTLS. 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 -20.5% for FTLS 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTLS charges 1.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $3 annually, a gap of $135 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.87% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 60.7% of VTI's money is in holdings FTLS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FTLS, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
406 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 363 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTLS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA Corporation | 6.67% | 6.88% | 0.21% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.55% | 6.30% | 0.75% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.13% | 5.11% | 0.98% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc Cl A | 4.15% | 2.70% | 1.45% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.60% | 3.41% | 0.81% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.08% | 2.38% | 1.30% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc Class A | 1.16% | 1.70% | 0.54% |
| STXSeagate Technology Holdings | 2.05% | 0.25% | 1.80% |
| MUMicron Technology Inc . | 0.79% | 1.46% | 0.67% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.67% | 1.40% | 0.73% |
60.7% of VTI is already inside FTLS.
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, FTLS or VTI?
FTLS has an expense ratio of 1.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $135 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTLS or VTI?
Over the past year FTLS returned +13.43% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FTLS annualized +8.71% vs +12.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTLS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 8.7% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: FTLS -20.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTLS and VTI?
FTLS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FTLS and VTI?
At least 60.7% of VTI's money is in holdings FTLS also owns. Our book for FTLS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 406 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in FTLS and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTLS or VTI?
FTLS yields 0.87% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTLS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.