DVOL vs VTI
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DVOL or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DVOL is less concentrated, with 30.1% 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 | DVOL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.78% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.05% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.97% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.17% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.60% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,132 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.1%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | 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 18, 2026 (8 years).
DVOL 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.
DVOL vs VTI Performance
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) 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 DVOL returned +2.97% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, DVOL is up 1.05% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, DVOL compounded at +12.17% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.60% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.31% annualized vs +8.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 16.1% for DVOL. 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 -38.3% for DVOL 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DVOL 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, DVOL currently yields 0.78% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.0% of DVOL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 11.8% of VTI's money is in holdings DVOL also owns.
Most of DVOL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DVOL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,101 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DVOL (85.6% of the fund), and 0 for DVOL 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 DVOL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.25% | 3.65% | 2.40% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.35% | 2.90% | 1.55% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 3.45% | 0.15% | 3.30% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 3.22% | 0.10% | 3.12% |
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 3.01% | 0.23% | 2.78% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.63% | 0.61% | 2.02% |
| WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp. | 3.05% | 0.07% | 2.98% |
| AMEAmetek Inc | 3.01% | 0.08% | 2.93% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 2.87% | 0.11% | 2.76% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 2.90% | 0.07% | 2.83% |
97.0% of DVOL 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, DVOL or VTI?
DVOL 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, DVOL or VTI?
Over the past year DVOL returned +2.97% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DVOL annualized +8.09% vs +13.31% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DVOL or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 16.1% for DVOL. Worst drawdown: DVOL -38.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DVOL and VTI?
DVOL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 DVOL and VTI?
97.0% of DVOL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 11.8% of VTI's is in holdings DVOL also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DVOL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DVOL or VTI?
DVOL yields 0.78% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DVOL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DVOL is less concentrated, with 30.1% 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.