MDEV vs VTI
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MDEV or VTI?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDEV is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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 | MDEV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.10% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 53 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.80% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.46% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.98% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.00% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.3% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,738 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 22, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2021 to Sep 25, 2026 (5.3 years).
MDEV 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.
MDEV vs VTI Performance
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) 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 MDEV returned +6.46% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, MDEV is down 0.80% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, MDEV compounded at +4.98% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -5.00% and +12.14% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% 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 -42.3% for MDEV 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDEV 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, MDEV currently yields 0.10% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
59.1% of MDEV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.9% of VTI's money is in holdings MDEV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
29 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 53 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,123 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MDEV (95.5% of the fund), and 2 for MDEV that do not appear in VTI (4.0%).
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 MDEV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAXBaxter International Inc. | 2.79% | 0.02% | 2.77% |
| RVTYRevvity Inc | 2.64% | 0.02% | 2.62% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 2.62% | 0.04% | 2.58% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 2.27% | 0.30% | 1.97% |
| BIOBio-Rad Laboratories-A Common Stock | 2.54% | 0.01% | 2.53% |
| AAgilent Technologies Inc | 2.46% | 0.05% | 2.41% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services Inc | 2.44% | 0.03% | 2.41% |
| MMSIMerit Medical Systems Inc | 2.44% | 0.01% | 2.43% |
| WATWaters Corp. | 2.38% | 0.05% | 2.33% |
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 2.24% | 0.06% | 2.18% |
59.1% of MDEV 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, MDEV or VTI?
MDEV 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, MDEV or VTI?
Over the past year MDEV returned +6.46% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDEV or VTI?
MDEV has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MDEV -42.3% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both MDEV and VTI?
MDEV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 MDEV and VTI?
59.1% of MDEV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.9% of VTI's is in holdings MDEV also owns. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDEV or VTI?
MDEV yields 0.10% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MDEV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDEV is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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.