RND vs VTI
RND vs VTI
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF vs Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
Quick Verdict
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI delivered stronger 1-year returns. VTI offers more diversification with 2783 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | RND | VTI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03% | |
| AUM | $9M | $663.5B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.07% | |
| Holdings | 51 | 3,543 | |
| YTD Return | +10.61% | +14.20% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.60% | +24.16% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.12% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.37% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -23.5% | -56.6% | |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2024 | May 24, 2001 |
RND vs VTI Performance
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RND returned +21.60% while VTI returned +24.16%. Year to date, RND is up 10.61% versus a gain of 14.20% for VTI.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 15.3% 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 -23.5% for RND and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RND charges 0.60% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RND currently yields 0.00% against 1.07% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
RND and VTI share 49 holdings out of 2784 unique holdings combined, representing a 39.8% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RND | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 8.01% | 6.32% | 1.69% |
| AAPL | 8.45% | 5.84% | 2.61% |
| GOOGL | 8.61% | 2.88% | 5.73% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MSFT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMD | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings RND shares with VTI Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RND or VTI?
RND has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $57 per year of difference.
Which performed better, RND or VTI?
Over the past year RND returned +21.60% vs +24.16% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RND annualized +26.78% vs +8.14% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, RND or VTI?
RND has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RND -23.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both RND and VTI?
RND and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between RND and VTI?
RND and VTI share 49 common holdings with a 39.8% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 2784 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, RND or VTI?
RND yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Popular ETF Comparisons
Get Full ETF Analytics
Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.