FTRB vs VTI
Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTRB or VTI?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | FTRB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $627M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.39% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 688 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.50% | +11.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.58% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.3%Best | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.8%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $10,871 | $16,541Best |
| Fund Family | Federated Hermes | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2024 to Sep 15, 2026 (2.7 years).
FTRB 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
FTRB vs VTI Performance
Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) is an ETF from Federated Hermes and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FTRB returned -0.58% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, FTRB is down 1.50% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 4.3% for FTRB. 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 -4.8% for FTRB 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 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTRB charges 0.39% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $3 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTRB currently yields 4.39% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings FTRB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FTRB, our book for it covers 47.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 562 positions we hold weights for in FTRB and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 688 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTRB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMUST-Mobile Usa, Inc. 3.875% 15-Apr-2030 | 0.16% | 0.10% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTRB and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTRB or VTI?
FTRB has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTRB or VTI?
Over the past year FTRB returned -0.58% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTRB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 4.3% for FTRB. Worst drawdown: FTRB -4.8% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both FTRB and VTI?
FTRB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTRB or VTI?
FTRB yields 4.39% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTRB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.