FLN vs VTI
First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FLN or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FLN led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.1%.
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 | FLN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $41M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.46% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 56 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.65%Best | +13.10% |
| 1Y Return | +23.85%Best | +17.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.14% | +22.26%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.13%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.0% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,726Best | $17,608 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.1% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2011 to Sep 24, 2026 (15.4 years).
FLN 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FLN vs VTI Performance
First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) 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 FLN returned +23.85% while VTI returned +17.01%. Year to date, FLN is up 14.65% versus a gain of 13.10% for VTI.
Over three years, FLN compounded at +16.14% per year against +22.26% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.13% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.21% annualized vs +0.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.0% compared with 14.7% 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 -67.7% for FLN 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLN charges 0.80% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $3 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLN currently yields 3.46% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 48 holdings in FLN and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 96.0% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in FLN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 56 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,150 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FLN (97.5% of the fund), and 3 for FLN that do not appear in VTI (7.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLN 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, FLN or VTI?
FLN has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLN or VTI?
Over the past year FLN returned +23.85% vs +17.01% for VTI, so FLN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FLN annualized +0.53% vs +12.21% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLN or VTI?
FLN has been the more volatile fund at 26.0% annualized versus 14.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FLN -67.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FLN and VTI?
FLN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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, FLN or VTI?
FLN yields 3.46% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FLN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FLN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FLN led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.