MDIV vs VOO
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MDIV or VOO?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | MDIV | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $411M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 7.05% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 248 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +6.20% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.54% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.65% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.39% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.0% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,002 | $18,654Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 13, 2012 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 14, 2012 to Oct 14, 2026 (14.2 years).
MDIV vs VOO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MDIV vs VOO Performance
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund (MDIV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MDIV returned +7.54% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, MDIV is up 6.20% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, MDIV compounded at +9.65% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +5.39% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.42% annualized vs +0.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.5% for MDIV. 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 -57.0% for MDIV and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDIV charges 0.75% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDIV currently yields 7.05% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.5% of VOO's money is in holdings MDIV also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MDIV, our book for it covers 86.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VOO and MDIV share little of their money.
33 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 504 in VOO, against full books of 248 and 506.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MDIV | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.36% | 0.58% | 0.22% |
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 0.67% | 0.25% | 0.42% |
| VICIVici Properties Inc | 0.86% | 0.04% | 0.82% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.55% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 0.61% | 0.17% | 0.44% |
| TAT&T Inc. | 0.45% | 0.27% | 0.18% |
| PEPPepsi Co Inc | 0.37% | 0.29% | 0.08% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 0.53% | 0.12% | 0.41% |
| EXRExtra Space Storage Inc. | 0.59% | 0.05% | 0.54% |
| KIMKimco Realty Corp. | 0.55% | 0.02% | 0.53% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDIV and VOO 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, MDIV or VOO?
MDIV has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDIV or VOO?
Over the past year MDIV returned +7.54% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MDIV annualized +0.83% vs +13.42% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDIV or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.5% for MDIV. Worst drawdown: MDIV -57.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MDIV and VOO?
MDIV and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 MDIV and VOO?
At least 3.5% of VOO's money is in holdings MDIV also owns. Our book for MDIV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDIV or VOO?
MDIV yields 7.05% while VOO yields 1.06%, so MDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MDIV?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.