AFMC vs VYM
First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AFMC or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AFMC led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. AFMC is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | AFMC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $214M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 526 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.63%Best | +9.59% |
| 1Y Return | +17.58%Best | +13.66% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.74%Best | +17.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.63% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,572 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 4, 2019 to Sep 28, 2026 (6.8 years).
AFMC vs VYM 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
AFMC vs VYM Performance
First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF (AFMC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AFMC returned +17.58% while VYM returned +13.66%. Year to date, AFMC is up 14.63% versus a gain of 9.59% for VYM.
Over three years, AFMC compounded at +19.74% per year against +17.87% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.63% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AFMC has the edge at +11.57% annualized vs +10.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AFMC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 15.7% for VYM. 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 -42.1% for AFMC and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFMC charges 0.68% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $4 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFMC currently yields 0.69% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
35.5% of AFMC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.5% of VYM's money is in holdings AFMC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
94 positions in common, counted across the 262 positions we hold weights for in AFMC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 526 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 436 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AFMC (93.6% of the fund), and 161 for AFMC that do not appear in VYM (59.5%).
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 AFMC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 1.48% | 0.08% | 1.40% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 1.24% | 0.05% | 1.19% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 1.08% | 0.03% | 1.05% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.91% | 0.06% | 0.85% |
| NFGNational Fuel Gas Co | 0.91% | 0.03% | 0.88% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.88% | 0.05% | 0.83% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.85% | 0.08% | 0.77% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.80% | 0.06% | 0.74% |
| UGIUgi Corp | 0.80% | 0.03% | 0.77% |
| MTGMgic Investment Corp | 0.77% | 0.03% | 0.74% |
35.5% of AFMC is already inside VYM.
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, AFMC or VYM?
AFMC has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFMC or VYM?
Over the past year AFMC returned +17.58% vs +13.66% for VYM, so AFMC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AFMC annualized +11.57% vs +10.81% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFMC or VYM?
AFMC has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 15.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AFMC -42.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AFMC and VYM?
AFMC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 AFMC and VYM?
35.5% of AFMC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.5% of VYM's is in holdings AFMC also owns. They hold 94 positions in common, counted across the 262 positions we hold weights for in AFMC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFMC or VYM?
AFMC yields 0.69% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AFMC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AFMC led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. AFMC is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.