FXN vs VTI
First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FXN or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FXN 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 45.0%.
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 | FXN | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.63% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $357M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 80 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +35.39%Best | +13.35% |
| 1Y Return | +42.38%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.67% | +23.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.36%Best | +12.83% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.7% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.6% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,331Best | $18,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | 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 Oct 2, 2026 (19.4 years).
FXN 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.
FXN vs VTI Performance
First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) 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 FXN returned +42.38% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, FXN is up 35.39% versus a gain of 13.35% for VTI.
Over three years, FXN compounded at +12.67% per year against +23.41% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +16.36% and +12.83% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.20% annualized vs +1.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.7% 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 -88.6% for FXN 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXN charges 0.63% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $63 vs $3 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXN currently yields 1.51% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
96.7% of FXN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's money is in holdings FXN also owns.
Most of FXN is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, FXN 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.
38 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXN and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 80 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 FXN (94.2% of the fund), and 0 for FXN 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 FXN | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DINOHollyfrontier | 6.20% | 0.02% | 6.18% |
| APAAPA Corp. | 5.48% | 0.02% | 5.46% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 4.86% | 0.07% | 4.79% |
| RRCRange Resources Corp | 4.52% | 0.01% | 4.51% |
| ARAntero Resources Corp | 4.47% | 0.01% | 4.46% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 4.26% | 0.03% | 4.23% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 4.15% | 0.05% | 4.10% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 3.70% | 0.20% | 3.50% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 3.73% | 0.01% | 3.72% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 3.62% | 0.02% | 3.60% |
96.7% of FXN 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, FXN or VTI?
FXN has an expense ratio of 0.63% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXN or VTI?
Over the past year FXN returned +42.38% vs +15.92% for VTI, so FXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXN annualized +1.34% vs +9.20% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXN or VTI?
FXN has been the more volatile fund at 34.7% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FXN -88.6% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FXN and VTI?
FXN and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 FXN and VTI?
96.7% of FXN's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's is in holdings FXN also owns. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXN and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXN or VTI?
FXN yields 1.51% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FXN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FXN?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FXN 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 45.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.