FGD vs VTI
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FGD or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 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 | FGD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.87% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 212 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +17.49%Best | +11.65% |
| 1Y Return | +27.28%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.85%Best | +20.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.90%Best | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.2% | -55.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,343Best | $17,404 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 27, 2007 to Sep 10, 2026 (18.8 years).
FGD 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
FGD vs VTI Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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 FGD returned +27.28% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, FGD is up 17.49% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, FGD compounded at +24.85% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.90% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.70% annualized vs +2.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 16.1% 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 -70.2% for FGD and -55.3% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGD charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGD currently yields 4.87% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 17.0% of FGD's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
FGD and VTI share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 212 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FGD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPQHp Inc. | 1.56% | 0.03% | 1.53% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 1.49% | 0.00% | 1.49% |
| OMFOnemain Holdings Inc | 1.43% | 0.00% | 1.43% |
| NWBINorthwest Bancshares Inc | 1.26% | 0.00% | 1.26% |
| WUWestern Union Co. | 1.25% | 0.00% | 1.25% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.20% | 0.02% | 1.18% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 1.02% | 0.17% | 0.85% |
| TROWT Rowe Price Group Inc | 1.10% | 0.03% | 1.07% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc. | 1.07% | 0.05% | 1.02% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 0.85% | 0.22% | 0.63% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGD and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FGD or VTI?
FGD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGD or VTI?
Over the past year FGD returned +27.28% vs +17.34% for VTI, so FGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FGD annualized +2.56% vs +9.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGD or VTI?
FGD has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FGD -70.2% vs VTI -55.3%.
Should I hold both FGD and VTI?
FGD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FGD and VTI?
At least 17.0% of FGD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGD or VTI?
FGD yields 4.87% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FGD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.