AFMC vs VTI
First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AFMC or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AFMC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. AFMC is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | AFMC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $214M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 526 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.63%Best | +12.43% |
| 1Y Return | +17.58%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.74% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.63% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 17.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,572 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 4, 2019 to Sep 28, 2026 (6.8 years).
AFMC 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
AFMC vs VTI Performance
First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) 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 AFMC returned +17.58% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, AFMC is up 14.63% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, AFMC compounded at +19.74% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.63% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.77% annualized vs +11.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFMC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 17.4% 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 -42.1% for AFMC 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFMC charges 0.68% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $3 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFMC currently yields 0.69% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.9% of AFMC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.7% of VTI's money is in holdings AFMC also owns.
Most of AFMC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
257 positions in common, counted across the 262 positions we hold weights for in AFMC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 526 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 938 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AFMC (93.9% of the fund), and 1 for AFMC that do not appear in VTI (0.3%).
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 AFMC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 1.48% | 0.03% | 1.45% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 1.24% | 0.02% | 1.22% |
| CASYCaseys General | 1.19% | 0.04% | 1.15% |
| MLIMueller Industries Inc | 1.19% | 0.02% | 1.17% |
| 0RMV:LNTechnipfmc Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.16% | 0.04% | 1.12% |
| FHIFederated Investors Inc. | 1.14% | 0.01% | 1.13% |
| MATXMatson Inc | 1.10% | 0.01% | 1.09% |
| EXELExelixis Inc | 1.08% | 0.02% | 1.06% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 1.08% | 0.01% | 1.07% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 1.00% | 0.01% | 0.99% |
96.9% of AFMC 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, AFMC or VTI?
AFMC has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFMC or VTI?
Over the past year AFMC returned +17.58% vs +15.92% for VTI, so AFMC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AFMC annualized +11.57% vs +14.77% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFMC or VTI?
AFMC has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 17.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: AFMC -42.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both AFMC and VTI?
AFMC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AFMC and VTI?
96.9% of AFMC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.7% of VTI's is in holdings AFMC also owns. They hold 257 positions in common, counted across the 262 positions we hold weights for in AFMC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFMC or VTI?
AFMC yields 0.69% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AFMC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. AFMC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. AFMC is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.