FREL vs VTI
Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FREL or VTI?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.5%.
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 | FREL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.27% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 126 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.12% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.99% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.25% | +20.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.18% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,604 | $17,303Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.5% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 2, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 5, 2015 to Sep 15, 2026 (11.6 years).
FREL 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 11.6 years both funds cover.
FREL vs VTI Performance
Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FREL returned +4.99% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, FREL is up 8.12% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, FREL compounded at +9.25% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.18% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.12% annualized vs +2.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FREL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 15.4% 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 -43.5% for FREL 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FREL charges 0.08% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $3 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FREL currently yields 3.27% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of FREL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.2% of VTI's money is in holdings FREL also owns.
Most of FREL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
122 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in FREL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 126 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 123 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,078 positions FREL does not, 95.3% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FREL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 9.43% | 0.23% | 9.20% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 7.81% | 0.19% | 7.62% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.54% | 0.14% | 5.40% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 4.56% | 0.11% | 4.45% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.38% | 0.10% | 4.28% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.00% | 0.09% | 3.91% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 3.59% | 0.08% | 3.51% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 3.34% | 0.08% | 3.26% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 3.06% | 0.03% | 3.03% |
| CBRECbre Services Inc | 2.80% | 0.06% | 2.74% |
99.7% of FREL 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, FREL or VTI?
FREL has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FREL or VTI?
Over the past year FREL returned +4.99% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), FREL annualized +2.91% vs +12.12% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FREL or VTI?
FREL has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FREL -43.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FREL and VTI?
FREL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 FREL and VTI?
99.7% of FREL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.2% of VTI's is in holdings FREL also owns. They hold 122 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in FREL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FREL or VTI?
FREL yields 3.27% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FREL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FREL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.