DVLU vs VTI
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DVLU or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DVLU led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DVLU is less concentrated, with 32.8% 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 | DVLU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $48M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.36% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.20%Best | +18.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.51% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.42% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.0% | 17.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,172 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 5, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 7, 2018 to Sep 25, 2026 (8 years).
DVLU 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 8 years both funds cover.
DVLU vs VTI Performance
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) 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 DVLU returned +21.20% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, DVLU is up 9.36% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, DVLU compounded at +21.51% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.42% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.44% annualized vs +9.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DVLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.0% compared with 17.3% 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 -53.3% for DVLU 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DVLU charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DVLU currently yields 0.67% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.2% of DVLU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.7% of VTI's money is in holdings DVLU also owns.
Most of DVLU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
48 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DVLU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,102 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DVLU (93.8% of the fund), and 1 for DVLU that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
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 DVLU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMGeneral Motors Co | 4.03% | 0.11% | 3.92% |
| IVZInvesco PLC | 3.71% | 0.02% | 3.69% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 3.55% | 0.02% | 3.53% |
| APOAthene (Ath) / Apollo Global Management (Apo) | 3.27% | 0.07% | 3.20% |
| OSKOshkosh Corp. | 3.30% | 0.01% | 3.29% |
| SNXSynnex Technology International Co | 3.27% | 0.03% | 3.24% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 3.07% | 0.02% | 3.05% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 2.83% | 0.18% | 2.65% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 2.66% | 0.30% | 2.36% |
| PFGPrincipalfinancialgroupinc. | 2.92% | 0.03% | 2.89% |
96.2% of DVLU 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, DVLU or VTI?
DVLU has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DVLU or VTI?
Over the past year DVLU returned +21.20% vs +18.17% for VTI, so DVLU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DVLU annualized +9.95% vs +13.44% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DVLU or VTI?
DVLU has been the more volatile fund at 24.0% annualized versus 17.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DVLU -53.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DVLU and VTI?
DVLU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 DVLU and VTI?
96.2% of DVLU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.7% of VTI's is in holdings DVLU also owns. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DVLU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DVLU or VTI?
DVLU yields 0.67% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DVLU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DVLU led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DVLU is less concentrated, with 32.8% 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.