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.
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 | 0.11% | 1.07% |
| Holdings | 53 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.14% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.39% | +20.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.85% | +20.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.65% | +11.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.3% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,477 | $17,474Best |
| 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 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.2 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 5.2 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 +2.39% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, MDEV is down 0.14% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.
Over three years, MDEV compounded at +2.85% per year against +20.95% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -5.65% and +11.81% 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 0.11% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 52.9% of MDEV's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
26 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 53 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MDEV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAXBaxter International Inc. | 3.04% | 0.02% | 3.02% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services Inc | 2.59% | 0.03% | 2.56% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 2.46% | 0.04% | 2.42% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 2.20% | 0.26% | 1.94% |
| MMSIMerit Medical Systems Inc | 2.43% | 0.00% | 2.43% |
| WATWaters Corp. | 2.38% | 0.05% | 2.33% |
| AAgilent Technologies Inc | 2.34% | 0.05% | 2.29% |
| BIOBio-Rad Laboratories-A Common Stock | 2.37% | 0.00% | 2.37% |
| EWEdwards Lifesciences Corp | 2.17% | 0.07% | 2.10% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.01% | 0.22% | 1.79% |
52.9% 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 +2.39% vs +20.00% 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?
At least 52.9% of MDEV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDEV or VTI?
MDEV yields 0.11% while VTI yields 1.07%, 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. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.