AGQI vs VTI
First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, AGQI or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%.
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 | AGQI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 77 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +10.62% | +13.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.95% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +23.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $15,417 | $17,645Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (2.9 years).
AGQI 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
AGQI vs VTI Performance
First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF (AGQI) 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 AGQI returned +14.95% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, AGQI is up 10.62% versus a gain of 13.35% 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 11.9% compared with 9.6% for AGQI. 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 -14.1% for AGQI 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGQI charges 0.85% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $3 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGQI currently yields 1.65% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
40.7% of AGQI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 10.7% of VTI's money is in holdings AGQI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, AGQI as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
13 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in AGQI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 77 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,137 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for AGQI (86.8% of the fund), and 0 for AGQI that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 AGQI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.51% | 4.79% | 0.72% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.69% | 2.31% | 1.38% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.70% | 0.86% | 2.84% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 4.33% | 0.11% | 4.22% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 3.75% | 0.42% | 3.33% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.44% | 0.61% | 2.83% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 3.34% | 0.55% | 2.79% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 3.31% | 0.14% | 3.17% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 2.09% | 0.46% | 1.63% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 2.01% | 0.18% | 1.83% |
40.7% of AGQI 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, AGQI or VTI?
AGQI has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGQI or VTI?
Over the past year AGQI returned +14.95% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGQI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 9.6% for AGQI. Worst drawdown: AGQI -14.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both AGQI and VTI?
AGQI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 AGQI and VTI?
40.7% of AGQI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 10.7% of VTI's is in holdings AGQI also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in AGQI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGQI or VTI?
AGQI yields 1.65% while VTI yields 1.03%, so AGQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than AGQI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.