FIW vs VTI
First Trust Water ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FIW or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.1%.
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 | FIW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 74 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -4.56% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.90% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.21% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.61% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.1%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,528 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.1% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Oct 1, 2026 (19.4 years).
FIW 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.
FIW vs VTI Performance
First Trust Water ETF (FIW) 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 FIW returned -6.90% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, FIW is down 4.56% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, FIW compounded at +9.21% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.61% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.11% annualized vs +9.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FIW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% 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 -53.1% for FIW 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FIW charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FIW currently yields 0.71% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.4% of FIW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's money is in holdings FIW also owns.
Most of FIW is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, FIW as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
33 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in FIW and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 74 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,122 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FIW (96.7% of the fund), and 0 for FIW 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 FIW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WATWaters Corp. | 5.44% | 0.05% | 5.39% |
| AAgilent Technologies Inc | 5.10% | 0.05% | 5.05% |
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 4.81% | 0.05% | 4.76% |
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 4.45% | 0.04% | 4.41% |
| VLTOVeralto Corp | 4.15% | 0.03% | 4.12% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 4.00% | 0.02% | 3.98% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 3.81% | 0.10% | 3.71% |
| JJacobs Engineering Group Inc. | 3.86% | 0.02% | 3.84% |
| MLIMueller Industries Inc | 3.86% | 0.02% | 3.84% |
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 3.66% | 0.06% | 3.60% |
94.4% of FIW 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, FIW or VTI?
FIW has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FIW or VTI?
Over the past year FIW returned -6.90% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FIW annualized +9.03% vs +9.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FIW or VTI?
FIW has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FIW -53.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FIW and VTI?
FIW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FIW and VTI?
94.4% of FIW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's is in holdings FIW also owns. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in FIW and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FIW or VTI?
FIW yields 0.71% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FIW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.