MDIV vs VTI
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MDIV or VTI?
Equity-oriented Balanced 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 | MDIV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $411M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.05% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 248 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +6.20% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.54% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.65% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.39% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,002 | $17,616Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 13, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
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 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 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 VTI Performance
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund (MDIV) 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 MDIV returned +7.54% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, MDIV is up 6.20% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, MDIV compounded at +9.65% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.39% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs +0.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% 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 -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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDIV charges 0.75% per year while VTI 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 VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.4% of VTI'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.
VTI and MDIV share little of their money.
74 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 248 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MDIV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARRArmour Residential Reit, Inc. | 1.42% | 0.00% | 1.42% |
| AGNCAgnc Investment Corp. | 1.39% | 0.02% | 1.37% |
| NLYAnnaly Capital Management Inc | 1.37% | 0.02% | 1.35% |
| RITMRithm Capital Corp. | 1.26% | 0.01% | 1.25% |
| GLPIGaming & Leisure Pptys Inc | 0.90% | 0.02% | 0.88% |
| VICIVici Properties Inc | 0.86% | 0.04% | 0.82% |
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 0.67% | 0.22% | 0.45% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.36% | 0.53% | 0.17% |
| APLEApple Hospitality Reit Inc | 0.86% | 0.00% | 0.86% |
| EPREpr Properties | 0.80% | 0.01% | 0.79% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDIV 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, MDIV or VTI?
MDIV has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDIV or VTI?
Over the past year MDIV returned +7.54% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MDIV annualized +0.83% vs +13.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDIV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.5% for MDIV. Worst drawdown: MDIV -57.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MDIV and VTI?
MDIV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 VTI?
At least 3.4% of VTI's money is in holdings MDIV also owns. Our book for MDIV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDIV or VTI?
MDIV yields 7.05% while VTI yields 1.06%, so MDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MDIV?
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.