FXL vs VTI
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FXL or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. FXL is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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 | FXL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 222 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +24.78%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +26.09%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.62%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.4% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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 16, 2026 (19.4 years).
FXL 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.
FXL vs VTI Performance
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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 FXL returned +26.09% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, FXL is up 24.78% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, FXL compounded at +23.62% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FXL has the edge at +13.24% annualized vs +9.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% 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 -61.4% for FXL 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
FXL 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, FXL currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.4% of FXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 34.7% of VTI's money is in holdings FXL also owns.
Most of FXL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
107 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 222 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,051 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FXL (62.8% of the fund), and 0 for FXL 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 FXL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.68% | 6.40% | 5.72% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.34% | 6.29% | 5.95% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.83% | 4.79% | 3.96% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.87% | 2.90% | 2.03% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.60% | 2.56% | 1.96% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 2.55% | 0.04% | 2.51% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.27% | 1.29% | 0.02% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.24% | 1.08% | 0.16% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.62% | 1.70% | 1.08% |
| EPAMEpam Systems, Inc. | 2.27% | 0.01% | 2.26% |
96.4% of FXL 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, FXL or VTI?
FXL 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, FXL or VTI?
Over the past year FXL returned +26.09% vs +15.41% for VTI, so FXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXL annualized +13.24% vs +9.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXL or VTI?
FXL has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FXL -61.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FXL and VTI?
FXL 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 FXL and VTI?
96.4% of FXL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 34.7% of VTI's is in holdings FXL also owns. They hold 107 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXL or VTI?
FXL yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FXL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. FXL is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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.