FDLO vs VTI
Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FDLO or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | FDLO | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 129 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.31% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.45% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.40% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.37% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.7%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,649 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 15, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10 years).
FDLO 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 10 years both funds cover.
FDLO vs VTI Performance
Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDLO returned +12.45% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FDLO is up 9.31% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, FDLO compounded at +14.40% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.37% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.10% annualized vs +12.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.3% for FDLO. 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 -34.7% for FDLO 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDLO charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDLO currently yields 1.37% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 97.8% of FDLO'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 FDLO is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
116 positions in common, counted across the 125 positions we hold weights for in FDLO and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 129 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 125 and 2,787 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 570 positions FDLO does not, 50.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.32%, GOOG 2.27%, MU 1.79%, META 1.70%, TSLA 1.63%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDLO | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.91% | 5.84% | 2.07% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 6.67% | 3.81% | 2.86% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 6.10% | 2.88% | 3.22% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.40% | 3.17% | 1.23% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.32% | 2.46% | 1.86% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.83% | 1.40% | 0.43% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.81% | 1.24% | 0.57% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.86% | 1.11% | 0.75% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.24% | 0.57% | 1.67% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.36% | 0.84% | 0.52% |
97.8% of FDLO 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, FDLO or VTI?
FDLO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDLO or VTI?
Over the past year FDLO returned +12.45% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FDLO annualized +12.09% vs +14.10% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDLO or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.3% for FDLO. Worst drawdown: FDLO -34.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FDLO and VTI?
FDLO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FDLO and VTI?
At least 97.8% of FDLO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 116 positions in common, counted across the 125 positions we hold weights for in FDLO and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDLO or VTI?
FDLO yields 1.37% while VTI yields 1.07%, so FDLO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FDLO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.