HELX vs VTI
Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HELX or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HELX 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 | HELX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 69 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +12.36% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +33.12%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.37% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.95% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.0% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8% | -29.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,359 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 27, 2020 to Sep 11, 2026 (6.5 years).
HELX 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 6.5 years both funds cover.
HELX vs VTI Performance
Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HELX returned +33.12% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, HELX is up 12.36% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, HELX compounded at +11.37% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -5.95% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +16.29% annualized vs +8.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HELX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.0% compared with 17.2% 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 -58.8% for HELX and -29.5% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HELX charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HELX currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 77.3% of HELX'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 HELX is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
50 positions in common, counted across the 66 positions we hold weights for in HELX and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 69 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HELX | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHGuardant Health Inc | 9.82% | 0.03% | 9.79% |
| NTRANatera Inc | 7.67% | 0.05% | 7.62% |
| KRYSKrystal Biotech Inc | 5.61% | 0.01% | 5.60% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.88% | 1.40% | 1.48% |
| BBIOBridgebio Pharma Inc | 3.91% | 0.02% | 3.89% |
| UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corp | 3.41% | 0.03% | 3.38% |
| VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 2.68% | 0.17% | 2.51% |
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 2.79% | 0.00% | 2.79% |
| CTVACorteva Inc. | 2.60% | 0.08% | 2.52% |
| TVTXTravere Therapeutics Inc | 2.59% | 0.00% | 2.59% |
77.3% of HELX 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, HELX or VTI?
HELX has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HELX or VTI?
Over the past year HELX returned +33.12% vs +17.22% for VTI, so HELX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), HELX annualized +8.62% vs +16.29% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HELX or VTI?
HELX has been the more volatile fund at 25.0% annualized versus 17.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: HELX -58.8% vs VTI -29.5%.
Should I hold both HELX and VTI?
HELX and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 HELX and VTI?
At least 77.3% of HELX's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 66 positions we hold weights for in HELX and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HELX or VTI?
HELX yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HELX?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. HELX 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.