FCAL vs VTI
First Trust California Municipal High income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FCAL or VTI?
Municipal California against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FCAL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $220M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.43% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 280 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.69% | +12.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.96% | +19.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.85% | +20.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.01% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.6%Best | 16.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.8%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,005 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 21, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 27, 2017 to Sep 8, 2026 (9.2 years).
FCAL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FCAL vs VTI Performance
First Trust California Municipal High income ETF (FCAL) 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 FCAL returned +1.96% while VTI returned +19.17%. Year to date, FCAL is down 0.69% versus a gain of 12.95% for VTI.
Over three years, FCAL compounded at +2.85% per year against +20.86% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.01% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.80% annualized vs +1.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 5.6% for FCAL. 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 -14.8% for FCAL 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCAL charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCAL currently yields 3.43% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 164 holdings in FCAL and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 57.4% and 92.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 164 positions we hold weights for in FCAL and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 280 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCAL 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, FCAL or VTI?
FCAL has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCAL or VTI?
Over the past year FCAL returned +1.96% vs +19.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FCAL annualized +1.18% vs +13.80% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCAL or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 5.6% for FCAL. Worst drawdown: FCAL -14.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FCAL and VTI?
FCAL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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, FCAL or VTI?
FCAL yields 3.43% while VTI yields 1.07%, so FCAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FCAL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.