FRI vs VTI
First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FRI 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. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.0%.
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 | FRI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $196M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.48% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 254 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.04% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.19% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.37% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.78% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.5% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,038 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.0% | 33.3%Best |
| 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 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 28, 2026 (19.4 years).
FRI 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
FRI vs VTI Performance
First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI) 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 FRI returned +9.19% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, FRI is up 10.04% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, FRI compounded at +12.37% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +3.78% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.16% annualized vs +2.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% 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 -73.3% for FRI 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRI charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRI currently yields 2.48% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.7% of FRI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's money is in holdings FRI also owns.
Most of FRI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
123 positions in common, counted across the 124 positions we hold weights for in FRI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 254 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,087 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FRI (95.6% of the fund), and 0 for FRI that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 FRI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 12.38% | 0.23% | 12.15% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 9.68% | 0.19% | 9.49% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 4.60% | 0.14% | 4.46% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.50% | 0.09% | 4.41% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.41% | 0.10% | 4.31% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 4.24% | 0.08% | 4.16% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 3.82% | 0.08% | 3.74% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 3.52% | 0.03% | 3.49% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 3.29% | 0.06% | 3.23% |
| IRMIron Mtn Inc New Com Npv | 2.55% | 0.05% | 2.50% |
95.7% of FRI 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, FRI or VTI?
FRI has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRI or VTI?
Over the past year FRI returned +9.19% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FRI annualized +2.84% vs +9.16% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRI or VTI?
FRI has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FRI -73.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FRI and VTI?
FRI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 FRI and VTI?
95.7% of FRI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's is in holdings FRI also owns. They hold 123 positions in common, counted across the 124 positions we hold weights for in FRI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FRI or VTI?
FRI yields 2.48% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FRI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FRI?
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 53.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.