FXD vs VTI
First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FXD or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. FXD is less concentrated, with 17.6% 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 | FXD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $260M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 226 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -6.14% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.79% | +15.74%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.26% | +22.45%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.01% | +12.32%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.7% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,046 | $17,877Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 29, 2026 (19.4 years).
FXD 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
FXD vs VTI Performance
First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD) 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 FXD returned -5.79% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, FXD is down 6.14% versus a gain of 12.25% for VTI.
Over three years, FXD compounded at +9.26% per year against +22.45% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.01% and +12.32% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.15% annualized vs +6.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 16.0% 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 -65.7% for FXD 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXD 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, FXD currently yields 0.62% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.4% of FXD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.5% of VTI's money is in holdings FXD also owns.
Most of FXD is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
107 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in FXD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 226 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,050 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FXD (89.0% of the fund), and 4 for FXD that do not appear in VTI (3.8%).
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 FXD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.67% | 3.65% | 2.98% |
| FOXAFox Corp. Class A | 1.97% | 0.01% | 1.96% |
| GAPGap Inc | 1.83% | 0.01% | 1.82% |
| DDSDillard's Inc | 1.81% | 0.00% | 1.81% |
| LYFTLyft Inc. Class A | 1.77% | 0.01% | 1.76% |
| VSNTVersant Media Group Inc-Wi | 1.75% | 0.01% | 1.74% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 1.66% | 0.01% | 1.65% |
| MATMattel Inc | 1.65% | 0.01% | 1.64% |
| LULULululemon Athletica, Inc | 1.61% | 0.02% | 1.59% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 1.37% | 0.23% | 1.14% |
95.4% of FXD 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, FXD or VTI?
FXD 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, FXD or VTI?
Over the past year FXD returned -5.79% vs +15.74% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXD annualized +6.47% vs +9.15% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXD or VTI?
FXD has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FXD -65.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FXD and VTI?
FXD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FXD and VTI?
95.4% of FXD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 8.5% of VTI's is in holdings FXD also owns. They hold 107 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in FXD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXD or VTI?
FXD yields 0.62% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FXD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. FXD is less concentrated, with 17.6% 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.