FTXG vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTXG or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | FTXG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 62 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.85% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.41% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -0.15% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.96% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.8%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,489 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (9.9 years).
FTXG 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
FTXG vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG) 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 FTXG returned +4.41% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, FTXG is up 8.85% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, FTXG compounded at -0.15% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.96% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.96% annualized vs +2.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.3% for FTXG. 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 -33.8% for FTXG 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXG 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, FTXG currently yields 2.49% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 90.7% of FTXG's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of FTXG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXG as of Sep 1, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FTXG and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 62 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTXG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 9.65% | 0.05% | 9.60% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 8.91% | 0.38% | 8.53% |
| KHCKraft Heinz Co. | 8.55% | 0.03% | 8.52% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc. Class A | 8.26% | 0.10% | 8.16% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 6.78% | 0.25% | 6.53% |
| MNSTMonster Beverage Corp. | 4.41% | 0.09% | 4.32% |
| CTVACorteva Inc. | 4.33% | 0.08% | 4.25% |
| KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. | 4.31% | 0.06% | 4.25% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 3.79% | 0.03% | 3.76% |
| GISGeneral Mills Inc. | 3.73% | 0.03% | 3.70% |
90.7% of FTXG 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, FTXG or VTI?
FTXG 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, FTXG or VTI?
Over the past year FTXG returned +4.41% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXG annualized +2.62% vs +13.96% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.3% for FTXG. Worst drawdown: FTXG -33.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTXG and VTI?
FTXG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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 FTXG and VTI?
At least 90.7% of FTXG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FTXG and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXG or VTI?
FTXG yields 2.49% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTXG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTXG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.