FTQI vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTQI or VTI?
Long-Short Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTQI led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.9%.
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 | FTQI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $993M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.26% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 183 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +16.48%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +20.05%Best | +15.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.38% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.03% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.4%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,647 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.9% | 33.3%Best |
| 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 Oct 1, 2026 (12.7 years).
FTQI 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.
FTQI vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) 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 FTQI returned +20.05% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, FTQI is up 16.48% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, FTQI compounded at +18.38% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.03% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.05% annualized vs +5.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 9.9% for FTQI. 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 -20.4% for FTQI 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTQI 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, FTQI currently yields 11.26% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.4% of FTQI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 48.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FTQI also owns.
Most of FTQI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, FTQI as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
148 positions in common, counted across the 173 positions we hold weights for in FTQI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 183 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,012 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTQI (49.3% of the fund), and 9 for FTQI that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 FTQI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.66% | 6.29% | 2.37% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.55% | 6.40% | 0.15% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.17% | 3.65% | 0.52% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.44% | 4.79% | 3.35% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.95% | 1.08% | 3.87% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.00% | 2.90% | 0.90% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.97% | 2.56% | 0.59% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.71% | 1.70% | 1.01% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.01% | 2.31% | 0.30% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.72% | 1.22% | 1.50% |
89.4% of FTQI 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, FTQI or VTI?
FTQI 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, FTQI or VTI?
Over the past year FTQI returned +20.05% vs +15.23% for VTI, so FTQI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FTQI annualized +5.28% vs +12.05% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTQI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 9.9% for FTQI. Worst drawdown: FTQI -20.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTQI and VTI?
FTQI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 FTQI and VTI?
89.4% of FTQI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 48.3% of VTI's is in holdings FTQI also owns. They hold 148 positions in common, counted across the 173 positions we hold weights for in FTQI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTQI or VTI?
FTQI yields 11.26% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTQI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTQI led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.