FDD vs VTI
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FDD or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.4%.
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 | FDD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $932M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.91% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 68 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.71%Best | +13.60% |
| 1Y Return | +29.36%Best | +18.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.61%Best | +23.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.05%Best | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,465Best | $17,734 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 27, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 11, 2009 to Sep 25, 2026 (17 years).
FDD 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 years both funds cover.
FDD vs VTI Performance
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) 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 FDD returned +29.36% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, FDD is up 14.71% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, FDD compounded at +28.61% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.05% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.75% annualized vs +4.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.8% 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 -46.5% for FDD 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDD charges 0.56% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $3 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDD currently yields 4.91% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 30 holdings in FDD and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 99.4% and 98.1% 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 30 positions we hold weights for in FDD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 68 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,150 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FDD (97.5% of the fund), and 0 for FDD 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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDD 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, FDD or VTI?
FDD has an expense ratio of 0.56% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDD or VTI?
Over the past year FDD returned +29.36% vs +18.17% for VTI, so FDD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), FDD annualized +4.02% vs +12.75% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDD or VTI?
FDD has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FDD -46.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FDD and VTI?
FDD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, FDD or VTI?
FDD yields 4.91% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FDD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FDD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.