EKG vs VOO
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, EKG or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%.
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 | EKG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 78 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +12.54%Best | +12.50% |
| 1Y Return | +21.33%Best | +17.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.65% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.4% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -22.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $10,764 | $18,370Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.4% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2022 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 23, 2022 to Sep 11, 2026 (4.5 years).
EKG vs VOO 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
EKG vs VOO Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EKG returned +21.33% while VOO returned +17.58%. Year to date, EKG is up 12.54% versus a gain of 12.50% for VOO.
Over three years, EKG compounded at +11.65% per year against +21.27% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EKG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.4% compared with 15.7% for VOO. 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 -43.8% for EKG and -22.1% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EKG charges 0.65% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EKG currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
43.3% of EKG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.4% of VOO's money is in holdings EKG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, EKG as of Sep 1, 2026 and VOO as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
7 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 505 in VOO, against full books of 78 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 489 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for EKG (99.0% of the fund), and 30 for EKG that do not appear in VOO (53.8%).
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
43.3% of EKG is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EKG or VOO?
EKG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EKG or VOO?
Over the past year EKG returned +21.33% vs +17.58% for VOO, so EKG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EKG or VOO?
EKG has been the more volatile fund at 26.4% annualized versus 15.7% for VOO. Worst drawdown: EKG -43.8% vs VOO -22.1%.
Should I hold both EKG and VOO?
EKG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 EKG and VOO?
43.3% of EKG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.4% of VOO's is in holdings EKG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, EKG or VOO?
EKG yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than EKG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.