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Security Comparison

FSKAX vs VTI: Same Market, Different Wrapper

A head-to-head of Fidelity's Total Market Index Fund and Vanguard's total-market ETF covering trading, cost, and account fit.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Best for

  • FSKAXInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • VTIInvestors who want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

FSKAX has outpaced VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.85% total return against 16.81%. Over 10 years the two are effectively even, compounding at 14.88% and 14.88% a year. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Sep 2011Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
FSKAX12.39%16.85%20.96%11.99%14.88%14.79%15.5%0.981.42-19.4%
VTI12.30%16.81%20.88%11.94%14.88%14.80%15.4%0.941.37-19.3%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Sep 2011” measures every fund from September 14, 2011 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricFSKAXVTI
Full nameFidelity Total Market Index FundVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
IssuerFidelity InvestmentsVanguard
Last Close$210.50 as of September 18, 2026$375.43 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate0.92%1.11%
Distribution Safety Score™ 35100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.32%1.11%
Expense ratio0.015%0.03%
AUM$142B$692B
Distribution frequencySemi-AnnualQuarterly
Underlying index—Morningstar US Total Market Index
Objective—Seeks to track the Morningstar US Total Market Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date11/05/199705/24/2001
Beta1.031.0379
Last dividend$0.164$1.0437
Ex-dividend date04/10/202606/26/2026

Bottom lineChoose FSKAX if you want broad equity exposure. Choose VTI if you want the broadest one-fund diversification at rock-bottom cost.

FSKAX vs VTI: mutual fund or total-market ETF?

Same US total market. FSKAX is a Fidelity mutual fund. VTI is a Vanguard ETF. Wrapper and cost are the decision.

FSKAXVTI
VehicleIndex mutual fundETF
TradingEnd-of-day net asset valueIntraday at a market price
Expense ratio0.015%0.03%
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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each security at current yields.

Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4697B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VTI.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

FSKAX (Fidelity Total Market Index Fund) is a mutual fund, while VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) is an ETF — their trading structures differ.

VTI offers the higher yield at 1.11% vs 0.92% for FSKAX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

FSKAX is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.015% compared to 0.03%.

VTI is the larger fund by assets ($692B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, FSKAX would generate roughly $7.67/month, while VTI would produce $9.25/month, at current distribution rates.

FSKAX yield0.92%
VTI yield1.11%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.58

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, FSKAX would cost approximately $15 in fees vs $30 for VTI (simplified, not compounded). The $15.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

FSKAX ER0.015%
VTI ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

VTI tracks Morningstar US Total Market Index. FSKAX is a mutual fund whose tracked index or strategy detail is not recorded in our data, so this comparison rests on the measured figures — yield, fees, size, and performance — rather than strategy labels. Beta is 1.03 for FSKAX and 1.0379 for VTI — effectively similar market sensitivity.

FSKAX beta1.03
VTI beta1.0379

Fund details

FSKAX is managed by Fidelity Investments (launched 11/05/1997) with $142B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $692B in assets.

FSKAX AUM$142B
VTI AUM$692B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between FSKAX and VTI?

Same US total-market idea, different wrapper. FSKAX (Fidelity Total Market Index Fund) is a Fidelity index mutual fund that transacts at end-of-day net asset value. VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) is an ETF that trades all day. Cost is 0.015% versus 0.03%; distributions are 0.92% and 1.11% as of September 2026. FSKAX is a mutual fund, not an exchange-traded fund. Account fit and cost are the decision.

What is the current distribution rate for FSKAX and VTI?

FSKAX currently distributes 0.92% and VTI 1.11%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is FSKAX or VTI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VTI currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

Can I hold both FSKAX and VTI?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is FSKAX or VTI safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — VTI scores 100, FSKAX scores 35, so VTI's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, FSKAX or VTI?

FSKAX has an expense ratio of 0.015% while VTI charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in FSKAX vs VTI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in FSKAX would generate roughly $7.67 per month ($92.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $9.25 per month ($111.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, FSKAX or VTI?

FSKAX has outpaced VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 16.85% total return against 16.81%. Over 10 years the two are effectively even, compounding at 14.88% and 14.88% a year. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

FSKAX vs VTI — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

FSKAX and VTI both track the broad US stock market with nearly identical holdings and minimal fees. Cost-wise, FSKAX's 0.015% expense ratio undercuts VTI's 0.03%, a modest but measurable gap on a total-market core holding. Both track nearly identical market segments, with betas of 1.03 and 1.0379 respectively, confirming their parallel market exposure.

Key risks to know

  • Index tracking risk: Both funds aim to match their underlying indexes, but small deviations can occur from cash drag, fees, and rebalancing timing. Over long periods, even a 0.015% difference compounds in relative performance.
  • Equity market risk: As total-market trackers, both funds carry full US stock-market exposure, meaning they will decline in value during broad market downturns without any inflation hedge or bond ballast.
  • Overlap and concentration: While both hold thousands of stocks, they naturally concentrate in large-cap mega-cap names like those in the Magnificent Seven; significant downturns in mega-cap growth will drag both funds in tandem.

Bottom line

If lowest fees and a direct Fidelity relationship matter most, FSKAX's 0.015% edge and $142B base cover core-portfolio needs. If trading flexibility and VTI's larger scale appeal more, the 0.03% cost is negligible on a buy-and-hold foundation. Neither fund is inherently superior—the choice hinges on broker preference, distribution timing, and fee sensitivity. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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