FTCE vs VTI
First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTCE or VTI?
FTCE has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTCE led over 1Y 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 | FTCE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $88M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.66% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 202 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.32% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.32%Best | +20.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $14,044Best | $13,808 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 2, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.9 years).
FTCE 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
FTCE vs VTI Performance
First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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 FTCE returned +21.32% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, FTCE is up 11.32% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 13.1% 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 -18.1% for FTCE and -19.3% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCE 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, FTCE currently yields 0.66% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 93.3% of FTCE'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 FTCE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
96 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FTCE and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 202 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTCE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.90% | 1.40% | 2.50% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 4.55% | 0.19% | 4.36% |
| V'visa Inc., Class 'a'' | 3.68% | 0.77% | 2.91% |
| IBMIntl Business Machines Corp | 3.82% | 0.36% | 3.46% |
| QCOMQualcomm | 3.89% | 0.27% | 3.62% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 3.30% | 0.77% | 2.53% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp 2.45 6/26 | 3.83% | 0.16% | 3.67% |
| NOWServicenow, Inc. | 3.74% | 0.14% | 3.60% |
| APPAppLovin Corp. Com Cl A | 3.25% | 0.19% | 3.06% |
| ACNAccenture Plc | 3.26% | 0.10% | 3.16% |
93.3% of FTCE 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, FTCE or VTI?
FTCE 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, FTCE or VTI?
Over the past year FTCE returned +21.32% vs +20.00% for VTI, so FTCE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCE annualized +19.57% vs +18.51% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCE or VTI?
FTCE has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 13.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTCE -18.1% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both FTCE and VTI?
FTCE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 FTCE and VTI?
At least 93.3% of FTCE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 96 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FTCE and 2,788 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCE or VTI?
FTCE yields 0.66% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTCE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTCE led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.