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.
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 | $420M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 45 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.53% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.75% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.62%Best | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.87% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,295 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | American Century ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2020 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.4 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 6.4 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 +14.75% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FDG is up 5.53% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, FDG compounded at +25.62% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.87% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FDG has the edge at +21.40% annualized vs +20.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% 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 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 87.9% of FDG'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.
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 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 45 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 17.27% | 6.32% | 10.95% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 16.00% | 2.27% | 13.73% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 7.05% | 3.17% | 3.88% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 6.53% | 1.63% | 4.90% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.10% | 3.81% | 0.29% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 3.17% | 1.70% | 1.47% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 3.75% | 0.14% | 3.61% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.11% | 2.46% | 1.35% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Usa Inc | 2.89% | 0.08% | 2.81% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 2.17% | 0.74% | 1.43% |
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 +14.75% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FDG annualized +21.40% vs +20.23% 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 23.0% 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?
At least 87.9% of FDG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDG or VTI?
FDG yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.07%, 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. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.