FTXN vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTXN or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.3%.
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 | FTXN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $949M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 88 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +38.83%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +42.13%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.89% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.25%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.1% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,160Best | $18,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.3% | 33.3%Best |
| 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 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2016 to Oct 2, 2026 (10 years).
FTXN 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.
FTXN vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) 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 FTXN returned +42.13% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, FTXN is up 38.83% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, FTXN compounded at +12.89% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +17.25% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.88% annualized vs +8.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.1% 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 -74.4% for FTXN 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXN 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, FTXN currently yields 1.60% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.4% of FTXN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FTXN also owns.
Most of FTXN is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, FTXN 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.
42 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 88 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,113 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTXN (94.2% of the fund), and 0 for FTXN that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 FTXN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 7.80% | 0.20% | 7.60% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 7.00% | 0.89% | 6.11% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 7.36% | 0.52% | 6.84% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 6.39% | 0.13% | 6.26% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 5.37% | 0.06% | 5.31% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 5.19% | 0.11% | 5.08% |
| VLOValero Energy | 4.89% | 0.13% | 4.76% |
| VGVenture Global Inc | 4.75% | 0.00% | 4.75% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.76% | 0.12% | 3.64% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy, Inc. | 3.81% | 0.06% | 3.75% |
99.4% of FTXN 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, FTXN or VTI?
FTXN 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, FTXN or VTI?
Over the past year FTXN returned +42.13% vs +15.92% for VTI, so FTXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXN annualized +8.39% vs +13.88% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXN or VTI?
FTXN has been the more volatile fund at 32.1% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTXN -74.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTXN and VTI?
FTXN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 FTXN and VTI?
99.4% of FTXN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's is in holdings FTXN also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXN or VTI?
FTXN yields 1.60% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FTXN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTXN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y and 5Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.