FTC vs VTI
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTC or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTC led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | FTC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 376 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.52% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.13% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.77% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.5%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,323 | $17,474Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.3 years).
FTC 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FTC vs VTI Performance
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) 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 FTC returned +13.13% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FTC is up 9.52% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, FTC compounded at +20.77% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.91% and +11.81% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FTC has the edge at +9.77% annualized vs +9.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% 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 -54.5% for FTC 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTC 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, FTC currently yields 0.15% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 97.2% of FTC's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of FTC 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 FTC and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 376 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.60% | 6.32% | 5.72% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.59% | 5.84% | 5.25% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.62% | 3.17% | 2.55% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 0.76% | 2.88% | 2.12% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.60% | 2.46% | 1.86% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.72% | 1.79% | 1.07% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.73% | 1.40% | 0.67% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.78% | 1.30% | 0.52% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 0.19% | 1.70% | 1.51% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.41% | 1.11% | 0.70% |
97.2% of FTC 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, FTC or VTI?
FTC 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, FTC or VTI?
Over the past year FTC returned +13.13% vs +20.00% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FTC annualized +9.77% vs +9.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTC or VTI?
FTC has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTC -54.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FTC and VTI?
FTC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FTC and VTI?
At least 97.2% of FTC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 181 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTC or VTI?
FTC yields 0.15% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTC led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.