FTXO vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTXO or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXO led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.3%.
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 | FTXO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $240M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.99% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 100 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +0.90% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.01% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.79%Best | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.08% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.0% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,812 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.3% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 7, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10 years).
FTXO 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 years both funds cover.
FTXO vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) 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 FTXO returned +11.01% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, FTXO is up 0.90% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, FTXO compounded at +25.79% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.08% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.92% annualized vs +7.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.0% 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 -57.8% for FTXO 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXO 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, FTXO currently yields 1.99% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.8% of FTXO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FTXO also owns.
Most of FTXO is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
48 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTXO and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 100 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,117 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTXO (94.3% of the fund), and 1 for FTXO that do not appear in VTI (0.7%).
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 FTXO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co | 7.81% | 1.29% | 6.52% |
| CCitigroup, Inc. | 8.17% | 0.30% | 7.87% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 7.79% | 0.36% | 7.43% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 7.81% | 0.13% | 7.68% |
| BACBank Of America | 7.26% | 0.54% | 6.72% |
| FCNCAFirst Citizens Bancshares Inc, Class A | 4.00% | 0.02% | 3.98% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group | 3.86% | 0.13% | 3.73% |
| MTBM&t Bank Corp. | 3.92% | 0.05% | 3.87% |
| CFGCitizens Financial Group Inc | 3.91% | 0.04% | 3.87% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 3.81% | 0.07% | 3.74% |
97.8% of FTXO 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, FTXO or VTI?
FTXO 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, FTXO or VTI?
Over the past year FTXO returned +11.01% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXO annualized +7.84% vs +13.92% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXO or VTI?
FTXO has been the more volatile fund at 27.0% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTXO -57.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTXO and VTI?
FTXO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 FTXO and VTI?
97.8% of FTXO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's is in holdings FTXO also owns. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTXO and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXO or VTI?
FTXO yields 1.99% while VTI yields 1.06%, so FTXO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTXO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXO led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.