MMSC vs VTI
First Trust Multi-Manager Small Cap Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MMSC or VTI?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MMSC is less concentrated, with 14.0% 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 | MMSC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 420 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.79% | +14.05%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.08% | +16.93%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.41% | +22.65%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.94% | +12.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.8% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,344 | $17,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.0%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 14, 2021 to Sep 22, 2026 (4.9 years).
MMSC 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
MMSC vs VTI Performance
First Trust Multi-Manager Small Cap Opportunities ETF (MMSC) 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 MMSC returned +16.08% while VTI returned +16.93%. Year to date, MMSC is up 11.79% versus a gain of 14.05% for VTI.
Over three years, MMSC compounded at +21.41% per year against +22.65% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.94% and +12.46% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MMSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.8% 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 -40.8% for MMSC 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MMSC charges 0.95% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MMSC currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.6% of MMSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.6% of VTI's money is in holdings MMSC also owns.
Most of MMSC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
179 positions in common, counted across the 200 positions we hold weights for in MMSC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 420 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,033 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for MMSC (96.0% of the fund), and 11 for MMSC that do not appear in VTI (5.2%).
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 MMSC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWSTTwist Bioscience Corp. | 1.80% | 0.01% | 1.79% |
| FROGJfrog Ltd | 1.66% | 0.01% | 1.65% |
| XMTRXometry, Inc. | 1.63% | 0.01% | 1.62% |
| TVTXTravere Therapeutics Inc | 1.56% | 0.01% | 1.55% |
| ZETAZeta Global Holdings Corp-A | 1.48% | 0.01% | 1.47% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 1.36% | 0.01% | 1.35% |
| GHGuardant Health, Inc | 1.23% | 0.03% | 1.20% |
| VSECVse Corp | 1.20% | 0.01% | 1.19% |
| PRAXPraxis Precision Medicines, Inc. | 1.07% | 0.01% | 1.06% |
| PTGXProtagonist Therapeutics Inc | 1.02% | 0.01% | 1.01% |
89.6% of MMSC 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, MMSC or VTI?
MMSC has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MMSC or VTI?
Over the past year MMSC returned +16.08% vs +16.93% 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, MMSC or VTI?
MMSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MMSC -40.8% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both MMSC and VTI?
MMSC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 MMSC and VTI?
89.6% of MMSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.6% of VTI's is in holdings MMSC also owns. They hold 179 positions in common, counted across the 200 positions we hold weights for in MMSC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MMSC or VTI?
MMSC yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MMSC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MMSC is less concentrated, with 14.0% 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.