FSCS vs VTI
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FSCS 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. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | FSCS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 202 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +2.20% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.68% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.02% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.41% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,643 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.2 years).
FSCS 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
FSCS vs VTI Performance
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) 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 FSCS returned -0.68% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, FSCS is up 2.20% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, FSCS compounded at +10.02% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.41% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.60% annualized vs +7.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 16.4% 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 -43.6% for FSCS 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSCS 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, FSCS currently yields 0.98% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.0% of FSCS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.5% of VTI's money is in holdings FSCS also owns.
Most of FSCS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
97 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 202 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,072 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FSCS (96.0% of the fund), and 1 for FSCS that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
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 FSCS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKTXMarketaxess Holdings Inc?.? | 1.42% | 0.01% | 1.41% |
| HALOHalozyme Therapeutics Inc | 1.36% | 0.01% | 1.35% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 1.21% | 0.02% | 1.19% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 1.12% | 0.02% | 1.10% |
| ULTAUlta Beauty Inc. | 1.11% | 0.03% | 1.08% |
| TTEKIndustrials (continued) Tetra Tech Inc. | 1.13% | 0.01% | 1.12% |
| SEICSei Investments Co. | 1.11% | 0.02% | 1.09% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 1.10% | 0.03% | 1.07% |
| EXPOExponent Inc | 1.12% | 0.00% | 1.12% |
| LECOLincoln Electric Holdings Inc | 1.10% | 0.02% | 1.08% |
97.0% of FSCS 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, FSCS or VTI?
FSCS 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, FSCS or VTI?
Over the past year FSCS returned -0.68% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FSCS annualized +7.65% vs +13.60% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSCS or VTI?
FSCS has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 16.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FSCS -43.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FSCS and VTI?
FSCS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FSCS and VTI?
97.0% of FSCS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.5% of VTI's is in holdings FSCS also owns. They hold 97 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSCS or VTI?
FSCS yields 0.98% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FSCS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.