SDVY vs VTI
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SDVY or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SDVY is less concentrated, with 10.5% 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 | SDVY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.96% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 348 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.68% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.56% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.04% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.69% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.1% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,879 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.5%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2017 to Sep 16, 2026 (8.9 years).
SDVY 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
SDVY vs VTI Performance
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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 SDVY returned +11.56% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, SDVY is up 8.68% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, SDVY compounded at +15.04% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.69% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.26% annualized vs +9.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDVY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 16.8% 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 -45.2% for SDVY 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDVY charges 0.58% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $3 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDVY currently yields 0.96% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.3% of SDVY's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.6% of VTI's money is in holdings SDVY also owns.
Most of SDVY is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
168 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in SDVY and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 348 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,013 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for SDVY (94.8% of the fund), and 2 for SDVY that do not appear in VTI (0.7%).
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 SDVY | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHCNatl Healthcare | 1.22% | 0.00% | 1.22% |
| IBKRInteractive Brokers Group Inc | 1.13% | 0.05% | 1.08% |
| FBP:PRFirst Bancorp/puerto Rico | 1.05% | 0.01% | 1.04% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 0.97% | 0.08% | 0.89% |
| PSMTPricesmart Inc | 1.03% | 0.01% | 1.02% |
| THGHanover Insurance Group Inc | 1.02% | 0.01% | 1.01% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 1.01% | 0.02% | 0.99% |
| ENSEnersys | 1.01% | 0.01% | 1.00% |
| WTSWatts Water Technologies Inc | 1.01% | 0.01% | 1.00% |
| AIZAssurant, Inc. | 1.00% | 0.02% | 0.98% |
97.3% of SDVY 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, SDVY or VTI?
SDVY has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDVY or VTI?
Over the past year SDVY returned +11.56% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SDVY annualized +9.91% vs +13.26% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDVY or VTI?
SDVY has been the more volatile fund at 22.1% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: SDVY -45.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both SDVY and VTI?
SDVY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SDVY and VTI?
97.3% of SDVY's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.6% of VTI's is in holdings SDVY also owns. They hold 168 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in SDVY and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, SDVY or VTI?
SDVY yields 0.96% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SDVY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SDVY is less concentrated, with 10.5% 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.