FYX vs VTI
First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, FYX or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FYX led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FYX is less concentrated, with 4.8% 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 | FYX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,052 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +22.44%Best | +11.53% |
| 1Y Return | +29.15%Best | +15.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.44% | +20.67%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.04% | +11.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,134 | $17,303Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small 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 15, 2026 (19.4 years).
FYX 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.
FYX vs VTI Performance
First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) 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 FYX returned +29.15% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, FYX is up 22.44% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, FYX compounded at +20.44% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.04% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.13% annualized vs +8.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FYX 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 -62.1% for FYX 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FYX charges 0.58% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $3 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FYX currently yields 0.90% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.6% of FYX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.9% of VTI's money is in holdings FYX also owns.
Most of FYX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
494 positions in common, counted across the 509 positions we hold weights for in FYX and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,052 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,066 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for FYX (96.6% of the fund), and 10 for FYX that do not appear in VTI (2.3%).
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 FYX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASGNAsgn Inc | 0.58% | 0.00% | 0.58% |
| CBZCbiz Inc. | 0.54% | 0.00% | 0.54% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 0.51% | 0.01% | 0.50% |
| CNMDConmed Corp | 0.49% | 0.00% | 0.49% |
| GTMZoominfo Technologies Inc | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| PARRPar Pacific Holdings Inc | 0.45% | 0.01% | 0.44% |
| TDWTidewater Inc | 0.45% | 0.00% | 0.45% |
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 0.43% | 0.01% | 0.42% |
| TXG10x Genomics Inc Com Usd 1 Cl A | 0.42% | 0.01% | 0.41% |
| AAMIAcadian Asset Management Inc | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.42% |
93.6% of FYX 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, FYX or VTI?
FYX has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FYX or VTI?
Over the past year FYX returned +29.15% vs +15.74% for VTI, so FYX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FYX annualized +8.61% vs +9.13% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FYX or VTI?
FYX has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: FYX -62.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both FYX and VTI?
FYX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FYX and VTI?
93.6% of FYX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.9% of VTI's is in holdings FYX also owns. They hold 494 positions in common, counted across the 509 positions we hold weights for in FYX and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, FYX or VTI?
FYX yields 0.90% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than FYX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. FYX led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FYX is less concentrated, with 4.8% 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.