FTHI vs VTI
First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTHI or VTI?
Long-Short Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTHI is less concentrated, with 33.0% 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 | FTHI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.86% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 352 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.68% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.36% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.32% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.4%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 7, 2014 to Sep 16, 2026 (12.7 years).
FTHI 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
FTHI vs VTI Performance
First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) 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 FTHI returned +8.36% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, FTHI is up 5.68% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, FTHI compounded at +13.32% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +11.97% annualized vs +4.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.4% for FTHI. 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 -35.5% for FTHI 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTHI charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTHI currently yields 8.86% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
84.3% of FTHI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 54.1% of VTI's money is in holdings FTHI also owns.
Most of FTHI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
133 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in FTHI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 352 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,023 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTHI (43.4% of the fund), and 7 for FTHI that do not appear in VTI (2.1%).
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 FTHI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.68% | 6.29% | 1.39% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.99% | 6.40% | 0.41% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.54% | 4.79% | 2.25% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.56% | 3.65% | 1.09% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.03% | 2.90% | 0.87% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.15% | 2.56% | 0.41% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.78% | 1.31% | 1.47% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.70% | 2.31% | 0.61% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.46% | 0.55% | 1.91% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.19% | 1.70% | 0.51% |
84.3% of FTHI 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, FTHI or VTI?
FTHI has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTHI or VTI?
Over the past year FTHI returned +8.36% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FTHI annualized +4.91% vs +11.97% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTHI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.4% for FTHI. Worst drawdown: FTHI -35.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTHI and VTI?
FTHI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FTHI and VTI?
84.3% of FTHI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 54.1% of VTI's is in holdings FTHI also owns. They hold 133 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in FTHI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTHI or VTI?
FTHI yields 8.86% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTHI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTHI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTHI is less concentrated, with 33.0% 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.