FCG vs VTI
First Trust Natural Gas ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FCG or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FCG 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 | FCG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $667M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 86 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +33.25%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +35.07%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.13% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.28%Best | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.8% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -97.6% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,175Best | $17,474 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.3 years).
FCG 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FCG vs VTI Performance
First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) 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 FCG returned +35.07% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FCG is up 33.25% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, FCG compounded at +8.13% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +20.28% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.20% annualized vs -5.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.8% compared with 16.0% 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 -97.6% for FCG and -56.6% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCG charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCG currently yields 2.17% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 66.9% of FCG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in FCG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 86 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FCG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 4.62% | 0.17% | 4.45% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 4.49% | 0.09% | 4.40% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 4.13% | 0.05% | 4.08% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy, Inc. | 4.11% | 0.05% | 4.06% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 3.90% | 0.07% | 3.83% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 3.88% | 0.02% | 3.86% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 3.80% | 0.03% | 3.77% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 3.79% | 0.02% | 3.77% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 3.73% | 0.05% | 3.68% |
| APAApa Corp | 3.37% | 0.02% | 3.35% |
66.9% of FCG 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, FCG or VTI?
FCG has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCG or VTI?
Over the past year FCG returned +35.07% vs +20.00% for VTI, so FCG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FCG annualized -5.02% vs +9.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCG or VTI?
FCG has been the more volatile fund at 40.8% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FCG -97.6% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FCG and VTI?
FCG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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 FCG and VTI?
At least 66.9% of FCG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in FCG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCG or VTI?
FCG yields 2.17% while VTI yields 1.07%, so FCG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FCG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FCG 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.