FAS vs VTI
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FAS or VTI?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FAS led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.5%.
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 | FAS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.82% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 88 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -3.77% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.26% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +38.39%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.47% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 57.5% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -94.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,721 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.5% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2008 to Sep 16, 2026 (17.9 years).
FAS 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 17.9 years both funds cover.
FAS vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF (FAS) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FAS returned +1.26% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, FAS is down 3.77% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, FAS compounded at +38.39% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.47% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.03% annualized vs +10.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 57.5% compared with 15.3% 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 -94.8% for FAS 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
FAS charges 0.88% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $3 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FAS currently yields 7.82% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
62.7% of FAS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.7% of VTI's money is in holdings FAS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
74 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 88 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,077 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FAS (87.8% of the fund), and 4 for FAS that do not appear in VTI (39.0%).
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 FAS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 8.40% | 1.31% | 7.09% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 5.46% | 0.83% | 4.63% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 4.14% | 0.63% | 3.51% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 3.58% | 0.55% | 3.03% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 2.61% | 0.40% | 2.21% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 2.35% | 0.37% | 1.98% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 2.23% | 0.35% | 1.88% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 2.00% | 0.30% | 1.70% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 1.56% | 0.24% | 1.32% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 1.52% | 0.25% | 1.27% |
62.7% of FAS 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, FAS or VTI?
FAS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FAS or VTI?
Over the past year FAS returned +1.26% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), FAS annualized +10.25% vs +13.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAS or VTI?
FAS has been the more volatile fund at 57.5% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FAS -94.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FAS and VTI?
FAS 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 FAS and VTI?
62.7% of FAS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 9.7% of VTI's is in holdings FAS also owns. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FAS or VTI?
FAS yields 7.82% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FAS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FAS led over 3Y, VTI over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.