VTI vs. FTSL
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while FTSL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. VTI is passively managed, while FTSL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs 4.44%/yr for FTSL. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for FTSL.
Performance
VTI vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly higher than FTSL's 0.51% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed FTSL with an annualized return of 15.02%, while FTSL has yielded a comparatively lower 4.44% annualized return.
VTI
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- -0.28%
- YTD
- 9.62%
- 6M
- 9.69%
- 1Y
- 26.27%
- 3Y*
- 20.60%
- 5Y*
- 12.20%
- 10Y*
- 15.02%
FTSL
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -0.10%
- YTD
- 0.51%
- 6M
- 0.66%
- 1Y
- 4.27%
- 3Y*
- 7.06%
- 5Y*
- 4.95%
- 10Y*
- 4.44%
VTI vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 9.62% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 0.51% | 5.98% | 8.27% | 11.58% | -2.50% | 3.94% | 2.99% | 10.11% | -1.30% | 2.59% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTI and FTSL is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2013 | 0.38 |
The correlation between VTI and FTSL shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.56 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VTI vs. FTSL — Risk / Return Rank
VTI
FTSL
VTI vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VTI | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.47 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 1.85 | +0.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.52 | 6.88 | +5.64 |
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Drawdowns
VTI vs. FTSL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than FTSL's maximum drawdown of -22.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and FTSL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTI | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.45% | -22.67% | -32.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -2.33% | -6.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -2.66% | -16.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.36% | -6.96% | -18.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.00% | -22.67% | -12.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.14% | -0.14% | -2.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.02% | -0.76% | -7.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 0.63% | +1.36% |
Volatility
VTI vs. FTSL - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) at 0.36%. This indicates that VTI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTI | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 0.36% | +4.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.82% | 1.95% | +7.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.64% | 2.11% | +10.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 3.35% | +14.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.33% | 5.18% | +13.15% |
VTI vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTI vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison
VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than FTSL's 6.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.47% | 6.59% | 7.56% | 7.59% | 4.77% | 3.17% | 3.48% | 4.44% | 4.29% | 3.64% | 3.70% | 3.95% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTI and FTSL have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to FTSL (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs FTSL's -22.67%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 4.44% for FTSL. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 4.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.
FTSL has the higher dividend yield at 6.47%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.
VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FTSL is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.86% for FTSL.
FTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.97), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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