FTXR vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FTXR or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXR 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 59.3%.
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 | FTXR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 88 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +7.79% | +14.72%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.98%Best | +16.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.75% | +22.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.80% | +12.78%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.9% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,558 | $18,246Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.3% | 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 22, 2016 to Oct 6, 2026 (10 years).
FTXR 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.
FTXR vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) 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 FTXR returned +18.98% while VTI returned +16.82%. Year to date, FTXR is up 7.79% versus a gain of 14.72% for VTI.
Over three years, FTXR compounded at +16.75% per year against +22.93% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.80% and +12.78% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.93% annualized vs +8.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% 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 -53.4% for FTXR 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXR 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, FTXR currently yields 1.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
90.6% of FTXR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings FTXR also owns.
Most of FTXR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, FTXR 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.
41 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 88 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,112 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FTXR (94.9% of the fund), and 1 for FTXR that do not appear in VTI (0.7%).
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 FTXR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMGeneral Motors Co | 8.52% | 0.11% | 8.41% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 7.03% | 1.22% | 5.81% |
| FFord Motor Co | 7.67% | 0.08% | 7.59% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 6.31% | 0.11% | 6.20% |
| DALDl Co., Ltd. | 4.64% | 0.08% | 4.56% |
| URIUnited Rentals Inc. | 4.59% | 0.09% | 4.50% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 4.47% | 0.13% | 4.34% |
| UALUnited Airlines Holdings Inc. | 3.90% | 0.05% | 3.85% |
| PCARPaccar Inc. | 3.79% | 0.10% | 3.69% |
| AALAmerican Airlines Group Inc. | 3.77% | 0.01% | 3.76% |
90.6% of FTXR 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, FTXR or VTI?
FTXR 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, FTXR or VTI?
Over the past year FTXR returned +18.98% vs +16.82% for VTI, so FTXR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXR annualized +8.45% vs +13.93% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXR or VTI?
FTXR has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FTXR -53.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FTXR and VTI?
FTXR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FTXR and VTI?
90.6% of FTXR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.6% of VTI's is in holdings FTXR also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXR or VTI?
FTXR yields 1.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FTXR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FTXR 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 59.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.