FTCS vs VTI
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTCS or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.4% 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 | FTCS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $7.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.28% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.63% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.69% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.88% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.1%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,307 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.4%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2006 to Sep 17, 2026 (20.2 years).
FTCS 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 20.2 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs VTI Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) 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 FTCS returned +5.63% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, FTCS is up 5.28% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +9.69% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.88% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.65% annualized vs +8.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.6% for FTCS. 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 -54.1% for FTCS 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.53% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $3 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.06% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.8% of FTCS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.6% of VTI's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
Most of FTCS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
50 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,100 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTCS (80.9% of the fund), and 0 for FTCS that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 FTCS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.83% | 6.29% | 4.46% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.02% | 0.86% | 1.16% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.04% | 0.83% | 1.21% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.09% | 0.63% | 1.46% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.23% | 0.45% | 1.78% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 2.26% | 0.29% | 1.97% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.93% | 0.59% | 1.34% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.09% | 0.42% | 1.67% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 2.42% | 0.08% | 2.34% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.77% | 0.68% | 1.09% |
99.8% of FTCS 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, FTCS or VTI?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.53% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or VTI?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.63% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FTCS annualized +8.52% vs +9.65% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.6% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -54.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FTCS and VTI?
FTCS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 FTCS and VTI?
99.8% of FTCS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 16.6% of VTI's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or VTI?
FTCS yields 1.06% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTCS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.4% 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.