LQTI vs VTI
FT Vest Investment Grade & Target Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LQTI or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | LQTI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $211M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.65% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 10 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -2.99% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.61% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.6%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $10,313 | $12,812Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 12, 2025 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 13, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
LQTI 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
LQTI vs VTI Performance
FT Vest Investment Grade & Target Income ETF (LQTI) 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 LQTI returned -3.61% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, LQTI is down 2.99% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 4.1% for LQTI. 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 -5.6% for LQTI and -19.3% 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 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LQTI charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LQTI currently yields 9.65% against 1.06% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LQTI 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, LQTI or VTI?
LQTI has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LQTI or VTI?
Over the past year LQTI returned -3.61% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LQTI annualized +1.83% vs +15.69% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LQTI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 4.1% for LQTI. Worst drawdown: LQTI -5.6% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both LQTI and VTI?
LQTI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, LQTI or VTI?
LQTI yields 9.65% while VTI yields 1.06%, so LQTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LQTI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.