ILDR vs VTI
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ILDR or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | ILDR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 164 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +14.56%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +18.77%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.00%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.78% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,684 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5.3 years).
ILDR 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
ILDR vs VTI Performance
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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 ILDR returned +18.77% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, ILDR is up 14.56% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, ILDR compounded at +29.00% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.78% and +11.52% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 15.7% 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 -44.6% for ILDR and -25.4% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILDR charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILDR currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
84.8% of ILDR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 31.5% of VTI's money is in holdings ILDR also owns.
Most of ILDR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
66 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 164 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,092 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ILDR (66.0% of the fund), and 4 for ILDR that do not appear in VTI (2.1%).
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 ILDR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 9.84% | 6.40% | 3.44% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.51% | 3.65% | 1.86% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 4.74% | 2.90% | 1.84% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.93% | 4.79% | 2.86% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.74% | 2.56% | 1.18% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.33% | 1.08% | 3.25% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.07% | 1.35% | 1.72% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.67% | 1.29% | 1.38% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.87% | 1.70% | 0.17% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.87% | 1.22% | 0.65% |
84.8% of ILDR 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, ILDR or VTI?
ILDR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ILDR or VTI?
Over the past year ILDR returned +18.77% vs +15.41% for VTI, so ILDR leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILDR or VTI?
ILDR has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ILDR -44.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both ILDR and VTI?
ILDR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 ILDR and VTI?
84.8% of ILDR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 31.5% of VTI's is in holdings ILDR also owns. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILDR or VTI?
ILDR yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ILDR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VTI over 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.