NXTG vs VTI
First Trust Indxx NextG ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NXTG or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. NXTG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. NXTG is less concentrated, with 16.3% 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 | NXTG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $566M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 217 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +40.98%Best | +11.53% |
| 1Y Return | +50.44%Best | +15.74% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.11%Best | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.19%Best | +11.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,176Best | $17,303 |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 17, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2011 to Sep 15, 2026 (15.6 years).
NXTG 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
NXTG vs VTI Performance
First Trust Indxx NextG ETF (NXTG) 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 NXTG returned +50.44% while VTI returned +15.74%. Year to date, NXTG is up 40.98% versus a gain of 11.53% for VTI.
Over three years, NXTG compounded at +32.11% per year against +20.67% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +16.19% and +11.59% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.10% annualized vs +11.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NXTG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -33.6% for NXTG 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NXTG 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, NXTG currently yields 1.21% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
35.6% of NXTG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 21.4% of VTI's money is in holdings NXTG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
30 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in NXTG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 217 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 NXTG (76.0% of the fund), and 5 for NXTG that do not appear in VTI (2.9%).
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 NXTG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.43% | 6.40% | 4.97% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.41% | 6.29% | 4.88% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.30% | 2.56% | 1.26% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.40% | 1.29% | 0.11% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.35% | 1.08% | 0.27% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc. | 1.68% | 0.27% | 1.41% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.21% | 0.57% | 0.64% |
| SMCISuper Micro Computer Inc Common Stock USD.001 | 1.66% | 0.02% | 1.64% |
| MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc | 1.53% | 0.10% | 1.43% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 1.09% | 0.50% | 0.59% |
35.6% of NXTG 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, NXTG or VTI?
NXTG 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, NXTG or VTI?
Over the past year NXTG returned +50.44% vs +15.74% for VTI, so NXTG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NXTG annualized +11.96% vs +12.10% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NXTG or VTI?
NXTG has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NXTG -33.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both NXTG and VTI?
NXTG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 NXTG and VTI?
35.6% of NXTG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 21.4% of VTI's is in holdings NXTG also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in NXTG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NXTG or VTI?
NXTG yields 1.21% while VTI yields 1.03%, so NXTG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NXTG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. NXTG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VTI over the full window. NXTG is less concentrated, with 16.3% 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.