FHLC vs VTI
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FHLC or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FHLC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and 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 | FHLC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 341 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.66% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.98%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.19% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.29% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.2%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,940 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 10, 2026 (12.9 years).
FHLC 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
FHLC vs VTI Performance
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) 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 FHLC returned +23.98% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, FHLC is up 8.66% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, FHLC compounded at +10.19% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.29% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.21% annualized vs +10.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.4% for FHLC. 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 -29.2% for FHLC 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FHLC charges 0.08% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $3 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FHLC currently yields 1.23% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 95.2% of FHLC'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.
Most of FHLC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, FHLC as of Aug 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
250 positions in common, counted across the 325 positions we hold weights for in FHLC and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 341 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FHLC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 12.76% | 1.40% | 11.36% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 8.82% | 0.84% | 7.98% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 6.24% | 0.61% | 5.63% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 5.03% | 0.44% | 4.59% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 4.87% | 0.52% | 4.35% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 3.20% | 0.27% | 2.93% |
| TMOThermo Fisher Scientific Inc | 3.16% | 0.26% | 2.90% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.65% | 0.22% | 2.43% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 2.50% | 0.22% | 2.28% |
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 2.23% | 0.19% | 2.04% |
95.2% of FHLC 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, FHLC or VTI?
FHLC has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FHLC or VTI?
Over the past year FHLC returned +23.98% vs +17.34% for VTI, so FHLC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FHLC annualized +10.09% vs +12.21% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FHLC or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.4% for FHLC. Worst drawdown: FHLC -29.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FHLC and VTI?
FHLC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 FHLC and VTI?
At least 95.2% of FHLC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 250 positions in common, counted across the 325 positions we hold weights for in FHLC and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FHLC or VTI?
FHLC yields 1.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FHLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FHLC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FHLC led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.