FLAX vs VTI
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FLAX or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FLAX led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 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 | FLAX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $59M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,620 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +23.31%Best | +12.34% |
| 1Y Return | +36.80%Best | +18.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.27%Best | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +11.68%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,197 | $17,373Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 6, 2018 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2018 to Sep 9, 2026 (8.6 years).
FLAX 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
FLAX vs VTI Performance
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FLAX returned +36.80% while VTI returned +18.37%. Year to date, FLAX is up 23.31% versus a gain of 12.34% for VTI.
Over three years, FLAX compounded at +24.27% per year against +20.62% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.73% and +11.68% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.93% annualized vs +7.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 16.8% 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 -42.5% for FLAX 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAX charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAX currently yields 2.01% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,144 holdings in FLAX and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 94.7% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 2 positions appear in both.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,144 positions we hold weights for in FLAX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,620 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLAX 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, FLAX or VTI?
FLAX has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLAX or VTI?
Over the past year FLAX returned +36.80% vs +18.37% for VTI, so FLAX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLAX annualized +7.48% vs +13.93% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLAX or VTI?
FLAX has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FLAX -42.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FLAX and VTI?
FLAX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLAX or VTI?
FLAX yields 2.01% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FLAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FLAX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FLAX led over 1Y and 3Y, VTI over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.