FNX vs VTI
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FNX or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | FNX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 451 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.67% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.40% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.55% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.45% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.6% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,002 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.3 years).
FNX 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FNX vs VTI Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) 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 FNX returned +13.40% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, FNX is up 11.67% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, FNX compounded at +15.55% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.45% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.19% annualized vs +8.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% 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 -57.6% for FNX 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNX charges 0.62% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $3 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNX currently yields 0.81% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.5% of FNX'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 FNX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FNX as of Sep 1, 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.
330 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 451 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FNX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAMEpam Systems, Inc. | 0.56% | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.53% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.45% | 0.02% | 0.43% |
| LADLithia Motors Inc | 0.47% | 0.00% | 0.47% |
| SOLVSolventum Corp | 0.44% | 0.02% | 0.42% |
| GPSGap Inc. | 0.45% | 0.00% | 0.45% |
| UHSUniversal Health Services Inc. | 0.43% | 0.01% | 0.42% |
72.5% of FNX 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, FNX or VTI?
FNX has an expense ratio of 0.62% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNX or VTI?
Over the past year FNX returned +13.40% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FNX annualized +8.74% vs +9.19% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNX or VTI?
FNX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FNX -57.6% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FNX and VTI?
FNX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FNX and VTI?
At least 72.5% of FNX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 330 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNX or VTI?
FNX yields 0.81% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FNX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.