RFDA vs VTI
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RFDA or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. RFDA is less concentrated, with 26.6% 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 | RFDA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 79 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +15.00%Best | +14.05% |
| 1Y Return | +16.76% | +16.93%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.40% | +22.65%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.31%Best | +12.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,678Best | $17,988 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2016 to Sep 22, 2026 (10.3 years).
RFDA 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
RFDA vs VTI Performance
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFDA returned +16.76% while VTI returned +16.93%. Year to date, RFDA is up 15.00% versus a gain of 14.05% for VTI.
Over three years, RFDA compounded at +20.40% per year against +22.65% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.31% and +12.46% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.84% annualized vs +12.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.1% for RFDA. 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 -34.8% for RFDA 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFDA charges 0.52% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $3 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFDA currently yields 1.85% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.4% of RFDA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 32.5% of VTI's money is in holdings RFDA also owns.
Most of RFDA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
68 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 79 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,086 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for RFDA (65.0% of the fund), and 6 for RFDA that do not appear in VTI (5.6%).
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 RFDA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.22% | 6.40% | 3.18% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.91% | 6.29% | 4.38% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.56% | 4.79% | 2.23% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.08% | 1.31% | 1.77% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.82% | 2.31% | 0.49% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.18% | 0.86% | 2.32% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.80% | 0.52% | 2.28% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 2.56% | 0.30% | 2.26% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.96% | 0.89% | 1.07% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.28% | 0.45% | 1.83% |
89.4% of RFDA 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, RFDA or VTI?
RFDA has an expense ratio of 0.52% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $49 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFDA or VTI?
Over the past year RFDA returned +16.76% vs +16.93% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RFDA annualized +12.21% vs +13.84% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFDA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.1% for RFDA. Worst drawdown: RFDA -34.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both RFDA and VTI?
RFDA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RFDA and VTI?
89.4% of RFDA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 32.5% of VTI's is in holdings RFDA also owns. They hold 68 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFDA or VTI?
RFDA yields 1.85% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RFDA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RFDA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. RFDA is less concentrated, with 26.6% 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.