MDIV vs VTI
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MDIV or VTI?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDIV is less concentrated, with 32.6% 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 | MDIV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.71% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $431M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.60% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 125 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.54% | +14.05%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.13% | +16.93%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.39% | +22.65%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.46% | +12.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,675 | $17,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 13, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 14, 2012 to Sep 22, 2026 (14.1 years).
MDIV 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MDIV vs VTI Performance
First Trust Multi-Asset Diversified Income Index Fund (MDIV) 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 MDIV returned +8.13% while VTI returned +16.93%. Year to date, MDIV is up 8.54% versus a gain of 14.05% for VTI.
Over three years, MDIV compounded at +10.39% per year against +22.65% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.46% and +12.46% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.18% annualized vs +0.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.5% for MDIV. 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 -57.0% for MDIV and -35.0% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDIV charges 0.71% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $71 vs $3 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDIV currently yields 6.60% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
39.4% of MDIV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's money is in holdings MDIV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
74 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 125 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,093 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MDIV (94.2% of the fund), and 48 for MDIV that do not appear in VTI (60.1%).
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 MDIV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGNCAgnc Investment Corp. | 1.58% | 0.02% | 1.56% |
| NLYAnnaly Capital Management Inc | 1.51% | 0.02% | 1.49% |
| MFAMfa Financial Inc Reit Usd.01 | 1.45% | 0.00% | 1.45% |
| PMTPennymac Mortgage Investment | 1.38% | 0.00% | 1.38% |
| RITMRithm Capital | 1.29% | 0.01% | 1.28% |
| ARIApollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc | 1.01% | 0.00% | 1.01% |
| APLEApple Hospitality Reit Inc | 0.91% | 0.00% | 0.91% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 0.63% | 0.20% | 0.43% |
| GISGeneral Mills In | 0.76% | 0.03% | 0.73% |
| EPREpr Properties | 0.77% | 0.01% | 0.76% |
39.4% of MDIV 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MDIV or VTI?
MDIV has an expense ratio of 0.71% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDIV or VTI?
Over the past year MDIV returned +8.13% vs +16.93% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MDIV annualized +0.98% vs +13.18% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDIV or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.5% for MDIV. Worst drawdown: MDIV -57.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both MDIV and VTI?
MDIV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 MDIV and VTI?
39.4% of MDIV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.3% of VTI's is in holdings MDIV also owns. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 123 positions we hold weights for in MDIV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDIV or VTI?
MDIV yields 6.60% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MDIV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDIV is less concentrated, with 32.6% 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.