FAN vs VOO
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FAN or VOO?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FAN led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.4%.
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 | FAN | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $242M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 108 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +11.76% | +12.50%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.41%Best | +17.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.44% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.00% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,593 | $18,384Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.4% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2008 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (16 years).
FAN 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 16 years both funds cover.
FAN vs VOO Performance
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) 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 FAN returned +27.41% while VOO returned +17.58%. Year to date, FAN is up 11.76% versus a gain of 12.50% for VOO.
Over three years, FAN compounded at +17.44% per year against +21.27% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +3.00% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.41% annualized vs +6.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 14.1% 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 -53.7% for FAN and -34.3% 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FAN charges 0.60% per year while VOO 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, FAN currently yields 0.99% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
4.5% of FAN's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.5% of VOO's money is in holdings FAN also owns.
FAN and VOO share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in FAN and 505 in VOO, against full books of 108 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 494 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FAN (98.9% of the fund), and 6 for FAN that do not appear in VOO (10.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FAN and VOO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FAN or VOO?
FAN has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FAN or VOO?
Over the past year FAN returned +27.41% vs +17.58% for VOO, so FAN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FAN annualized +6.08% vs +13.41% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAN or VOO?
FAN has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FAN -53.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FAN and VOO?
FAN and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 FAN and VOO?
4.5% of FAN's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.5% of VOO's is in holdings FAN also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in FAN and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FAN or VOO?
FAN yields 0.99% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FAN?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FAN led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.