MISL vs VTI
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MISL or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MISL led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.2%.
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 | MISL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $718M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 80 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -3.86% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.32% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.14%Best | +23.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.9%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $21,018Best | $20,802 |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2022 to Sep 25, 2026 (3.9 years).
MISL 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
MISL vs VTI Performance
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) 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 MISL returned +6.32% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, MISL is down 3.86% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, MISL compounded at +26.14% per year against +23.04% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, MISL has the edge at +20.98% annualized vs +20.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MISL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 13.3% 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 -17.9% for MISL and -19.3% 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MISL charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MISL currently yields 0.31% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
91.8% of MISL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.7% of VTI's money is in holdings MISL also owns.
Most of MISL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
38 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in MISL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 80 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,120 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MISL (94.8% of the fund), and 1 for MISL that do not appear in VTI (8.0%).
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 MISL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 11.84% | 0.37% | 11.47% |
| RTXRaytheon Co. | 8.54% | 0.40% | 8.14% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 7.53% | 0.52% | 7.01% |
| BABoeing Co | 7.53% | 0.24% | 7.29% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 4.32% | 0.19% | 4.13% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 4.03% | 0.11% | 3.92% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 3.99% | 0.14% | 3.85% |
| HEIHeico Corp. | 3.80% | 0.03% | 3.77% |
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 3.64% | 0.16% | 3.48% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 3.69% | 0.07% | 3.62% |
91.8% of MISL 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, MISL or VTI?
MISL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MISL or VTI?
Over the past year MISL returned +6.32% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MISL annualized +20.98% vs +20.66% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MISL or VTI?
MISL has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 13.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MISL -17.9% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both MISL and VTI?
MISL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 MISL and VTI?
91.8% of MISL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.7% of VTI's is in holdings MISL also owns. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in MISL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MISL or VTI?
MISL yields 0.31% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MISL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MISL led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.