FPAS vs VTI
FPA Short Duration Government ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FPAS or VTI?
Short Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y 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 | FPAS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.86% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 3 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -4.09% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.40% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.2%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.4%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $10,248 | $13,640Best |
| Fund Family | FPA Investors First | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.9 years).
FPAS 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
FPAS vs VTI Performance
FPA Short Duration Government ETF (FPAS) is an ETF from FPA Investors First and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FPAS returned -3.40% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, FPAS is down 4.09% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 3.2% for FPAS. 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 -5.4% for FPAS and -19.3% 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 -0.06. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FPAS charges 0.10% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $3 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FPAS currently yields 4.86% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FPAS 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, FPAS or VTI?
FPAS has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FPAS or VTI?
Over the past year FPAS returned -3.40% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FPAS annualized +1.30% vs +17.75% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FPAS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 3.2% for FPAS. Worst drawdown: FPAS -5.4% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both FPAS and VTI?
FPAS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.06, 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, FPAS or VTI?
FPAS yields 4.86% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FPAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FPAS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.