FDL vs VTI
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FDL or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDL 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 | FDL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.59% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 202 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +20.36%Best | +13.59% |
| 1Y Return | +24.66%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.01%Best | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.6% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,263Best | $17,474 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 9, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (20.5 years).
FDL 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 20.5 years both funds cover.
FDL vs VTI Performance
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) 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 FDL returned +24.66% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FDL is up 20.36% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, FDL compounded at +20.00% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.01% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.42% annualized vs +5.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -68.6% for FDL 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDL charges 0.43% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $3 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDL currently yields 3.59% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 94.5% of FDL'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 FDL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
81 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FDL and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 202 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVXChevron Corp | 7.90% | 0.43% | 7.47% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 7.44% | 0.22% | 7.22% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 5.99% | 0.39% | 5.60% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 5.99% | 0.19% | 5.80% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 4.69% | 0.25% | 4.44% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 4.17% | 0.17% | 4.00% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.58% | 0.16% | 3.42% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 2.99% | 0.12% | 2.87% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 2.99% | 0.11% | 2.88% |
| BXBlackstone Group Inc. Class A | 2.52% | 0.12% | 2.40% |
94.5% of FDL 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, FDL or VTI?
FDL has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDL or VTI?
Over the past year FDL returned +24.66% vs +20.00% for VTI, so FDL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), FDL annualized +5.91% vs +9.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDL or VTI?
FDL has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FDL -68.6% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FDL and VTI?
FDL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 FDL and VTI?
At least 94.5% of FDL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 81 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FDL and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDL or VTI?
FDL yields 3.59% while VTI yields 1.07%, so FDL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FDL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDL 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.