FTAG vs VTI
First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTAG or VTI?
Agriculture 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 64.0%.
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 | FTAG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $15M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.24% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 61 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.86% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.09% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.27% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.34% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.8% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -98.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,226 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Agriculture | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 11, 2010 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 12, 2010 to Sep 28, 2026 (16.5 years).
FTAG 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 16.5 years both funds cover.
FTAG vs VTI Performance
First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) 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 FTAG returned +15.09% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, FTAG is up 11.86% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, FTAG compounded at +6.27% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.34% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.37% annualized vs -17.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTAG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.8% compared with 14.9% 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 -98.4% for FTAG 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTAG charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTAG currently yields 1.24% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
31.3% of FTAG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FTAG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
11 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in FTAG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 61 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,143 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTAG (97.1% of the fund), and 1 for FTAG that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 FTAG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 10.26% | 0.21% | 10.05% |
| CTVACorteva Inc Ctva | 9.85% | 0.07% | 9.78% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 3.84% | 0.03% | 3.81% |
| TTCToro Co/the | 1.79% | 0.01% | 1.78% |
| AGCOAGCO Corporation | 1.65% | 0.01% | 1.64% |
| MOSMosaic Co | 1.47% | 0.01% | 1.46% |
| SITESiteone Landscape Supply, Inc. | 0.84% | 0.01% | 0.83% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| ALGAlamo Group Inc | 0.38% | 0.00% | 0.38% |
| FMCFmc Corp. | 0.28% | 0.00% | 0.28% |
31.3% of FTAG 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, FTAG or VTI?
FTAG has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTAG or VTI?
Over the past year FTAG returned +15.09% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), FTAG annualized -17.26% vs +12.37% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTAG or VTI?
FTAG has been the more volatile fund at 30.8% annualized versus 14.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTAG -98.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTAG and VTI?
FTAG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 FTAG and VTI?
31.3% of FTAG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.3% of VTI's is in holdings FTAG also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in FTAG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTAG or VTI?
FTAG yields 1.24% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTAG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTAG?
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 64.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.