FTXL vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTXL or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXL 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 | FTXL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 70 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +72.47%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +124.27%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +50.87%Best | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +27.94%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.2% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $34,279Best | $17,514 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10 years).
FTXL 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 10 years both funds cover.
FTXL vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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 FTXL returned +124.27% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, FTXL is up 72.47% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +50.87% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +27.94% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +28.26% annualized vs +13.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.2% compared with 15.8% for VTI. 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 -43.9% for FTXL 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXL 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, FTXL currently yields 0.11% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 96.1% of FTXL'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 FTXL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXL 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.
32 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 70 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTXL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 12.95% | 1.79% | 11.16% |
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.94% | 6.32% | 0.62% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 10.93% | 0.77% | 10.16% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.46% | 2.46% | 4.00% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 6.55% | 1.30% | 5.25% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd | 7.22% | 0.37% | 6.85% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 6.67% | 0.27% | 6.40% |
| LRCXLam Research Corpcommon Stock | 3.59% | 0.74% | 2.85% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 3.43% | 0.79% | 2.64% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 3.43% | 0.37% | 3.06% |
96.1% of FTXL 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, FTXL or VTI?
FTXL 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, FTXL or VTI?
Over the past year FTXL returned +124.27% vs +17.22% for VTI, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +28.26% vs +13.90% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or VTI?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.2% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTXL and VTI?
FTXL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 FTXL and VTI?
At least 96.1% of FTXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXL or VTI?
FTXL yields 0.11% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTXL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXL 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.