FTCE vs VTI
First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTCE or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTCE led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.8%.
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 | $87M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 202 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.23% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.65% | +15.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.1%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $13,863Best | $13,743 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.8% | 33.3%Best |
| 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 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026 (2 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 2 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 +11.65% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, FTCE is up 9.23% versus a gain of 12.43% 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 15.0% compared with 13.2% 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 0.64% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
91.2% of FTCE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 12.5% of VTI's money is in holdings FTCE also owns.
Most of FTCE 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 FTCE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 202 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,053 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTCE (85.0% of the fund), and 1 for FTCE that do not appear in VTI (1.2%).
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 FTCE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.83% | 1.35% | 2.48% |
| NOWServicenow, Inc | 4.69% | 0.16% | 4.53% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.76% | 0.83% | 2.93% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 4.35% | 0.21% | 4.14% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 4.18% | 0.22% | 3.96% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 3.77% | 0.29% | 3.48% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 3.81% | 0.17% | 3.64% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.85% | 0.63% | 2.22% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.90% | 0.50% | 2.40% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 2.87% | 0.13% | 2.74% |
91.2% 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 +11.65% vs +15.92% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCE annualized +17.74% vs +17.23% 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 15.0% annualized versus 13.2% 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?
91.2% of FTCE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 12.5% of VTI's is in holdings FTCE also owns. They hold 97 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FTCE and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCE or VTI?
FTCE yields 0.64% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTCE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTCE led over the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.