FYT vs VTI
First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FYT or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FYT led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FYT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $195M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.44% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 526 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +24.23%Best | +11.65% |
| 1Y Return | +27.70%Best | +17.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.52% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.00% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.3% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,386 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.4 years).
FYT 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FYT vs VTI Performance
First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) 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 FYT returned +27.70% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, FYT is up 24.23% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, FYT compounded at +15.52% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.00% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.15% annualized vs +9.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FYT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.3% compared with 14.7% 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 -51.7% for FYT and -35.0% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FYT charges 0.70% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FYT currently yields 1.44% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 78.8% of FYT's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of FYT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FYT as of Sep 1, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
201 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in FYT and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 526 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FYT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASGNAsgn Inc | 1.12% | 0.00% | 1.12% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc-class A | 0.99% | 0.00% | 0.99% |
| CNMDConmed Corp | 0.94% | 0.00% | 0.94% |
| ZIZoominfo Technologies Inc | 0.90% | 0.00% | 0.90% |
| DXCDxc Technology Co. | 0.79% | 0.00% | 0.79% |
| SBHSally Beauty Holdings, Inc. | 0.72% | 0.00% | 0.72% |
| VRTSVirtus Investment Partners Inc | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.71% |
| HOGHarley-Davidson Inc. | 0.70% | 0.00% | 0.70% |
| CRGYCrescent Energy Inc Common Stock Usd 0.0001 | 0.69% | 0.00% | 0.69% |
| TDWTidewater Inc | 0.69% | 0.00% | 0.69% |
78.8% of FYT 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, FYT or VTI?
FYT has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FYT or VTI?
Over the past year FYT returned +27.70% vs +17.34% for VTI, so FYT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FYT annualized +9.01% vs +12.15% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FYT or VTI?
FYT has been the more volatile fund at 22.3% annualized versus 14.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FYT -51.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both FYT and VTI?
FYT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 FYT and VTI?
At least 78.8% of FYT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 201 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in FYT and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FYT or VTI?
FYT yields 1.44% while VTI yields 1.03%, so FYT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FYT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FYT led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.