FFLS vs VTI
The Future Fund Long/Short ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FFLS or VTI?
Long-Short Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. FFLS is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%.
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 | FFLS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.61% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 97 | 3,542 |
| YTD Return | -0.44% | +10.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.62% | +11.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.05% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.1%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $12,905 | $17,860Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.5%Best | 34.6% |
| Fund Family | The Future Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 21, 2023 to Nov 10, 2026 (3.4 years).
FFLS 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 3.4 years both funds cover.
FFLS vs VTI Performance
The Future Fund Long/Short ETF (FFLS) is an ETF from The Future Fund and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FFLS returned -0.62% while VTI returned +11.60%. Year to date, FFLS is down 0.44% versus a gain of 10.82% for VTI.
Over three years, FFLS compounded at +10.05% per year against +20.95% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 9.1% for FFLS. 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 -11.1% for FFLS and -19.3% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFLS charges 1.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $160 vs $3 annually, a gap of $157 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFLS currently yields 6.61% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
82.8% of FFLS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 18.4% of VTI's money is in holdings FFLS also owns.
Most of FFLS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
40 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in FFLS and 3,464 in VTI, against full books of 97 and 3,542.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,093 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FFLS (78.6% of the fund), and 3 for FFLS that do not appear in VTI (5.5%).
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 FFLS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.82% | 7.13% | 3.31% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.08% | 3.30% | 1.78% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.79% | 2.76% | 1.03% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.25% | 2.28% | 0.03% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 4.02% | 0.02% | 4.00% |
| EWEdwards Lifesciences Corp | 3.21% | 0.07% | 3.14% |
| SQBlock, Inc | 3.08% | 0.05% | 3.03% |
| EQIXEquinix, Inc. | 2.57% | 0.14% | 2.43% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 2.67% | 0.03% | 2.64% |
| GLWCorning Inc | 2.41% | 0.16% | 2.25% |
82.8% of FFLS 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, FFLS or VTI?
FFLS has an expense ratio of 1.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $157 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFLS or VTI?
Over the past year FFLS returned -0.62% vs +11.60% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFLS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 9.1% for FFLS. Worst drawdown: FFLS -11.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both FFLS and VTI?
FFLS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 FFLS and VTI?
82.8% of FFLS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 18.4% of VTI's is in holdings FFLS also owns. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in FFLS and 3,464 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFLS or VTI?
FFLS yields 6.61% while VTI yields 1.06%, so FFLS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FFLS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. FFLS is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.