FVD vs VTI
First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FVD or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FVD is less concentrated, with 4.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | FVD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 498 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.10% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.62% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.50% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.83% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 15.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.1%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,275 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.4%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 19, 2003 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 19, 2005 to Sep 25, 2026 (20.8 years).
FVD 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 20.8 years both funds cover.
FVD vs VTI Performance
First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund (FVD) 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 FVD returned +6.62% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, FVD is up 4.10% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, FVD compounded at +10.50% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.83% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.49% annualized vs +6.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.4% for FVD. 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 -54.1% for FVD and -56.6% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FVD charges 0.62% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $3 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FVD currently yields 2.23% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
81.3% of FVD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 20.5% of VTI's money is in holdings FVD also owns.
Most of FVD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
197 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in FVD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 498 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 966 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FVD (77.0% of the fund), and 11 for FVD that do not appear in VTI (4.5%).
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 FVD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.42% | 1.31% | 0.89% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.41% | 0.89% | 0.48% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.41% | 0.86% | 0.45% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.41% | 0.61% | 0.20% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.42% | 0.57% | 0.15% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.42% | 0.55% | 0.13% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.43% | 0.52% | 0.09% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.42% | 0.47% | 0.05% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.41% | 0.46% | 0.05% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.41% | 0.45% | 0.04% |
81.3% of FVD 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, FVD or VTI?
FVD has an expense ratio of 0.62% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FVD or VTI?
Over the past year FVD returned +6.62% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), FVD annualized +6.71% vs +9.49% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FVD or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.4% for FVD. Worst drawdown: FVD -54.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FVD and VTI?
FVD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 FVD and VTI?
81.3% of FVD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 20.5% of VTI's is in holdings FVD also owns. They hold 197 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in FVD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FVD or VTI?
FVD yields 2.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FVD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FVD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FVD is less concentrated, with 4.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.