FLQS vs VTI
Franklin US Small Cap Multifactor Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FLQS or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLQS is less concentrated, with 9.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | FLQS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $46M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 499 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.03% | +11.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.17% | +15.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.16% | +22.32%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.48% | +12.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,057 | $18,020Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2017 to Sep 30, 2026 (9.4 years).
FLQS 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 9.4 years both funds cover.
FLQS vs VTI Performance
Franklin US Small Cap Multifactor Index ETF (FLQS) 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 FLQS returned +6.17% while VTI returned +15.05%. Year to date, FLQS is up 8.03% versus a gain of 11.95% for VTI.
Over three years, FLQS compounded at +12.16% per year against +22.32% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.48% and +12.50% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +7.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLQS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 16.2% 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 -42.2% for FLQS 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLQS charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLQS currently yields 1.32% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.3% of FLQS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.8% of VTI's money is in holdings FLQS also owns.
Most of FLQS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
454 positions in common, counted across the 491 positions we hold weights for in FLQS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 499 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,080 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FLQS (96.7% of the fund), and 24 for FLQS that do not appear in VTI (3.4%).
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 FLQS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALKS:IEAlkermes Plc. Ordinary Shares | 1.02% | 0.01% | 1.01% |
| ANFAbercrombie & Fitch Co. Class A | 1.01% | 0.01% | 1.00% |
| ESNT:BMEssent Group Ltd | 1.00% | 0.01% | 0.99% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 0.99% | 0.01% | 0.98% |
| QLYSQualys Inc | 0.96% | 0.01% | 0.95% |
| IDCCInterdigital Inc | 0.96% | 0.01% | 0.95% |
| MOG.AMoog Inccommon Stock | 0.95% | 0.02% | 0.93% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.89% | 0.01% | 0.88% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 0.88% | 0.01% | 0.87% |
| CTRECaretrust Reit Inc Reit Usd.01 | 0.87% | 0.01% | 0.86% |
94.3% of FLQS 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, FLQS or VTI?
FLQS has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLQS or VTI?
Over the past year FLQS returned +6.17% vs +15.05% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLQS annualized +7.96% vs +13.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLQS or VTI?
FLQS has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 16.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FLQS -42.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FLQS and VTI?
FLQS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 FLQS and VTI?
94.3% of FLQS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.8% of VTI's is in holdings FLQS also owns. They hold 454 positions in common, counted across the 491 positions we hold weights for in FLQS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLQS or VTI?
FLQS yields 1.32% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FLQS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FLQS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLQS is less concentrated, with 9.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.