FTA vs VTI
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTA or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTA is less concentrated, with 11.0% 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 | FTA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 376 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.39% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.69%Best | +18.17% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.59% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.16% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.8% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,223 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Sep 25, 2026 (19.4 years).
FTA 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.
FTA vs VTI Performance
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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 FTA returned +19.69% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, FTA is up 12.39% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, FTA compounded at +16.59% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.16% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.17% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% 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 -63.8% for FTA 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTA charges 0.58% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $3 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTA currently yields 1.59% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.0% of FTA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.7% of VTI's money is in holdings FTA also owns.
Most of FTA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
181 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 376 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 970 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTA (80.8% of the fund), and 3 for FTA that do not appear in VTI (1.5%).
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 FTA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 0.85% | 1.28% | 0.43% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.80% | 0.89% | 0.09% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 1.41% | 0.04% | 1.37% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.84% | 0.52% | 0.32% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 1.08% | 0.20% | 0.88% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 1.06% | 0.22% | 0.84% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 1.00% | 0.24% | 0.76% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 0.95% | 0.23% | 0.72% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.99% | 0.12% | 0.87% |
| SMCISuper Micro Computer Inc Common Stock USD.001 | 1.08% | 0.02% | 1.06% |
96.0% of FTA 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, FTA or VTI?
FTA has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTA or VTI?
Over the past year FTA returned +19.69% vs +18.17% for VTI, so FTA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FTA annualized +6.84% vs +9.17% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTA or VTI?
FTA has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTA -63.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FTA and VTI?
FTA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FTA and VTI?
96.0% of FTA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.7% of VTI's is in holdings FTA also owns. They hold 181 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTA or VTI?
FTA yields 1.59% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTA led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTA is less concentrated, with 11.0% 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.