FTXL vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTXL or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXL 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 57.9%.
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 | FTXL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.07% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 70 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +70.05%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +102.51%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +50.68%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +28.81%Best | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.4% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $35,461Best | $17,616 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.9% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10.1 years).
FTXL 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 10.1 years both funds cover.
FTXL vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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 FTXL returned +102.51% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, FTXL is up 70.05% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +50.68% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +28.81% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +27.80% annualized vs +13.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.4% compared with 15.8% 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 -43.9% for FTXL 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXL charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTXL currently yields 0.07% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.3% of FTXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 15.2% of VTI's money is in holdings FTXL also owns.
Most of FTXL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
35 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 70 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,123 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTXL (82.4% of the fund), and 1 for FTXL that do not appear in VTI (3.6%).
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 FTXL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.11% | 6.88% | 0.23% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 8.94% | 0.51% | 8.43% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 7.52% | 1.46% | 6.06% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.43% | 2.38% | 4.05% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 7.27% | 0.24% | 7.03% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.52% | 1.04% | 3.48% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Inc | 4.31% | 0.26% | 4.05% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 3.95% | 0.49% | 3.46% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 3.87% | 0.51% | 3.36% |
| KLACKla-tencor | 3.96% | 0.31% | 3.65% |
95.3% of FTXL 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, FTXL or VTI?
FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTXL or VTI?
Over the past year FTXL returned +102.51% vs +16.63% for VTI, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +27.80% vs +13.81% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or VTI?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.4% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTXL and VTI?
FTXL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 FTXL and VTI?
95.3% of FTXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 15.2% of VTI's is in holdings FTXL also owns. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXL or VTI?
FTXL yields 0.07% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTXL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXL 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 57.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.