FEX vs VTI
First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FEX or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. FEX is less concentrated, with 5.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | FEX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.57% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 752 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.49% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.65% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.98% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.23% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,274 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 25, 2026 (19.4 years).
FEX 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
FEX vs VTI Performance
First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) 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 FEX returned +17.65% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, FEX is up 12.49% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, FEX compounded at +19.98% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.23% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.22% annualized vs +8.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FEX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 16.0% 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 -59.7% for FEX 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FEX charges 0.57% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $57 vs $3 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FEX currently yields 0.94% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.7% of FEX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 65.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FEX also owns.
Most of FEX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
364 positions in common, counted across the 374 positions we hold weights for in FEX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 752 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 789 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FEX (32.3% of the fund), and 4 for FEX that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
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 FEX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.29% | 6.40% | 6.11% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.19% | 6.29% | 6.10% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.19% | 3.65% | 3.46% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.34% | 2.90% | 2.56% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.26% | 2.56% | 2.30% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 0.45% | 1.28% | 0.83% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.34% | 1.35% | 1.01% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.37% | 1.29% | 0.92% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.36% | 1.08% | 0.72% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.10% | 1.31% | 1.21% |
96.7% of FEX 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, FEX or VTI?
FEX has an expense ratio of 0.57% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FEX or VTI?
Over the past year FEX returned +17.65% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FEX annualized +8.42% vs +9.22% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FEX or VTI?
FEX has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FEX -59.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FEX and VTI?
FEX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 FEX and VTI?
96.7% of FEX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 65.3% of VTI's is in holdings FEX also owns. They hold 364 positions in common, counted across the 374 positions we hold weights for in FEX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FEX or VTI?
FEX yields 0.94% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FEX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. FEX is less concentrated, with 5.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.