FDN vs VTI
First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FDN or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDN led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%.
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 | FDN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 84 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.33% | +13.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.48% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.17% | +22.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.28% | +12.01%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.5% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,751 | $17,631Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (20.3 years).
FDN 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
FDN vs VTI Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund (FDN) 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 FDN returned +2.48% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, FDN is up 9.33% versus a gain of 13.14% for VTI.
Over three years, FDN compounded at +22.17% per year against +22.30% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.28% and +12.01% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, FDN has the edge at +14.00% annualized vs +9.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 15.7% 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 -61.5% for FDN 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDN charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDN currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.9% of FDN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 13.9% of VTI's money is in holdings FDN also owns.
Most of FDN is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
41 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in FDN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 84 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,110 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FDN (83.6% of the fund), and 0 for FDN 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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 9.84% | 3.65% | 6.19% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 9.04% | 1.70% | 7.34% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 7.27% | 0.57% | 6.70% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 4.77% | 2.90% | 1.87% |
| CRMSalesforce Inc Crm Us Equity | 6.11% | 0.20% | 5.91% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.80% | 2.31% | 1.49% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc Common Stock | 5.23% | 0.27% | 4.96% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 5.03% | 0.21% | 4.82% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 4.23% | 0.31% | 3.92% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 4.01% | 0.42% | 3.59% |
99.9% of FDN 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, FDN or VTI?
FDN has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDN or VTI?
Over the past year FDN returned +2.48% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FDN annualized +14.00% vs +9.78% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDN or VTI?
FDN has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FDN -61.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FDN and VTI?
FDN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 FDN and VTI?
99.9% of FDN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 13.9% of VTI's is in holdings FDN also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in FDN and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDN or VTI?
FDN yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FDN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FDN led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.