FXZ vs VTI
First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FXZ or VTI?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FXZ 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 46.1%.
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 | FXZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.64% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $393M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 80 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +23.30%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +32.77%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.14% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.16% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,499 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.1% | 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 Sep 16, 2026 (19.4 years).
FXZ 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.
FXZ vs VTI Performance
First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) 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 FXZ returned +32.77% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, FXZ is up 23.30% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, FXZ compounded at +10.14% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.16% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.11% annualized vs +8.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% 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 -66.0% for FXZ 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXZ charges 0.64% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $64 vs $3 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXZ currently yields 1.27% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
83.1% of FXZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.4% of VTI's money is in holdings FXZ also owns.
Most of FXZ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
35 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXZ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 80 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,118 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FXZ (96.1% of the fund), and 1 for FXZ that do not appear in VTI (2.8%).
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 FXZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 5.89% | 0.14% | 5.75% |
| CDECoeur Mining Inc | 5.56% | 0.02% | 5.54% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 5.23% | 0.03% | 5.20% |
| STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. | 4.42% | 0.05% | 4.37% |
| AAAlcoa Corp | 4.18% | 0.02% | 4.16% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 3.42% | 0.08% | 3.34% |
| MOSMosaic Co | 3.48% | 0.01% | 3.47% |
| IFFInternational Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | 3.33% | 0.03% | 3.30% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 3.30% | 0.01% | 3.29% |
| MLIMueller Industries Inc | 3.10% | 0.02% | 3.08% |
83.1% of FXZ 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, FXZ or VTI?
FXZ has an expense ratio of 0.64% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXZ or VTI?
Over the past year FXZ returned +32.77% vs +15.41% for VTI, so FXZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXZ annualized +8.05% vs +9.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXZ or VTI?
FXZ has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FXZ -66.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FXZ and VTI?
FXZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 FXZ and VTI?
83.1% of FXZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.4% of VTI's is in holdings FXZ also owns. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXZ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXZ or VTI?
FXZ yields 1.27% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FXZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FXZ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FXZ 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 46.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.