FDG vs VTI
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FDG or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%.
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 | FDG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $413M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 45 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +3.04% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.21% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.47%Best | +20.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.93% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,337 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | American Century ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2020 to Sep 14, 2026 (6.5 years).
FDG 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
FDG vs VTI Performance
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF (FDG) is an ETF from American Century ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDG returned +8.21% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, FDG is up 3.04% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, FDG compounded at +25.47% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.93% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, FDG has the edge at +20.85% annualized vs +19.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 15.6% 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 -43.7% for FDG and -25.4% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDG charges 0.45% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDG currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
87.9% of FDG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 26.6% of VTI's money is in holdings FDG also owns.
Most of FDG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
35 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 45 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,116 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FDG (70.8% of the fund), and 5 for FDG that do not appear in VTI (7.2%).
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 FDG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 17.27% | 6.40% | 10.87% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 16.00% | 2.31% | 13.69% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 7.05% | 3.65% | 3.40% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.10% | 4.79% | 0.69% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 6.53% | 1.22% | 5.31% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.17% | 1.70% | 1.47% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 3.75% | 0.13% | 3.62% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.11% | 2.56% | 1.45% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Usa Inc | 2.89% | 0.05% | 2.84% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.29% | 0.42% | 1.87% |
87.9% of FDG 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, FDG or VTI?
FDG has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDG or VTI?
Over the past year FDG returned +8.21% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), FDG annualized +20.85% vs +19.89% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDG or VTI?
FDG has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FDG -43.7% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both FDG and VTI?
FDG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FDG and VTI?
87.9% of FDG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 26.6% of VTI's is in holdings FDG also owns. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDG or VTI?
FDG yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FDG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.