EMLP vs VTI
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, EMLP or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EMLP led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y 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 | EMLP | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.76% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 116 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +16.16%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +18.85%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.79% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.15%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,140Best | $17,514 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 21, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.2 years).
EMLP 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 14.2 years both funds cover.
EMLP vs VTI Performance
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) 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 EMLP returned +18.85% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, EMLP is up 16.16% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, EMLP compounded at +20.79% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +16.15% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.39% annualized vs +7.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMLP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.4% 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 -48.0% for EMLP 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMLP charges 0.95% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMLP currently yields 2.76% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 57 holdings in EMLP and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 91.9% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 37 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, EMLP as of Sep 1, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
37 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in EMLP and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 116 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMLP | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFGNational Fuel Gas Co | 3.94% | 0.01% | 3.93% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 3.67% | 0.08% | 3.59% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 2.47% | 0.15% | 2.32% |
| PPLPpl Corp. | 2.51% | 0.04% | 2.47% |
| OKEOneok, Inc. | 2.37% | 0.08% | 2.29% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp. | 2.19% | 0.14% | 2.05% |
| OGSOne Gas Inc | 2.22% | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.09% | 0.08% | 2.01% |
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 1.84% | 0.07% | 1.77% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 1.71% | 0.08% | 1.63% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMLP 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, EMLP or VTI?
EMLP has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMLP or VTI?
Over the past year EMLP returned +18.85% vs +17.22% for VTI, so EMLP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), EMLP annualized +7.14% vs +13.39% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMLP or VTI?
EMLP has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: EMLP -48.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both EMLP and VTI?
EMLP and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMLP or VTI?
EMLP yields 2.76% while VTI yields 1.03%, so EMLP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than EMLP?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. EMLP led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.