FRTY vs VTI
Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FRTY or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FRTY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.18% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 41 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.24% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.62% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.29% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.02% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.1% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,990 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | Alger | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 1, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.5 years).
FRTY 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
FRTY vs VTI Performance
Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) is an ETF from Alger and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FRTY returned +9.62% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FRTY is up 4.24% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, FRTY compounded at +20.29% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.02% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs +2.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% compared with 15.5% 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 -53.1% for FRTY and -25.4% 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
FRTY charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRTY currently yields 0.18% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 39 holdings in FRTY and 2,788 in VTI, totalling 85.1% and 92.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 30 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, FRTY as of Aug 18, 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.
30 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FRTY and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 41 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FRTY | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 5.78% | 0.00% | 5.78% |
| FWONKLiberty Media Corporation Series C Liberty Formula One | 4.67% | 0.03% | 4.64% |
| NETCloudflare Inc (180 Day Lockup) | 3.50% | 0.11% | 3.39% |
| FIXComfort Systems Usa Inc Common Stock | 3.21% | 0.10% | 3.11% |
| SNOWSnowflake Inc | 3.11% | 0.12% | 2.99% |
| ROLLRbc Bearings Inc | 3.04% | 0.03% | 3.01% |
| GHGuardant Health Inc | 2.95% | 0.03% | 2.92% |
| MPWRMonolithic Power Systems Inc | 2.86% | 0.09% | 2.77% |
| AXONAxon Enterprise Inc | 2.86% | 0.06% | 2.80% |
| SNPSSynopsys Inc Common Stock Usd 0.01 | 2.56% | 0.12% | 2.44% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FRTY 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, FRTY or VTI?
FRTY has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRTY or VTI?
Over the past year FRTY returned +9.62% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FRTY annualized +2.50% vs +13.38% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRTY or VTI?
FRTY has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FRTY -53.1% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both FRTY and VTI?
FRTY 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, FRTY or VTI?
FRTY yields 0.18% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FRTY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.