FAS vs VYM
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FAS or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FAS led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.6%.
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 | FAS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.82% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 88 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.40% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.85% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +42.44%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.68% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 57.5% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -94.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,609 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.6% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2008 to Sep 11, 2026 (17.8 years).
FAS 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
FAS vs VYM Performance
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X ETF (FAS) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FAS returned +5.85% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, FAS is up 3.40% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, FAS compounded at +42.44% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.68% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, FAS has the edge at +10.70% annualized vs +10.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 57.5% compared with 14.2% 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 -94.8% for FAS 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FAS charges 0.88% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $4 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FAS currently yields 7.82% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
37.6% of FAS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 17.6% of VYM's money is in holdings FAS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
49 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 88 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 519 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FAS (79.9% of the fund), and 29 for FAS that do not appear in VYM (59.3%).
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 FAS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 7.67% | 3.38% | 4.29% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 3.29% | 1.56% | 1.73% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc. | 2.49% | 1.15% | 1.34% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 2.17% | 1.05% | 1.12% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 2.08% | 0.97% | 1.11% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.87% | 0.94% | 0.93% |
| BLKBlackrock Inc. | 1.31% | 0.61% | 0.70% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 1.11% | 0.52% | 0.59% |
| PGRProgressive Corp. | 0.99% | 0.53% | 0.46% |
| CBChubb Ltd. | 1.01% | 0.50% | 0.51% |
37.6% of FAS 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, FAS or VYM?
FAS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FAS or VYM?
Over the past year FAS returned +5.85% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), FAS annualized +10.70% vs +10.23% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAS or VYM?
FAS has been the more volatile fund at 57.5% annualized versus 14.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FAS -94.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FAS and VYM?
FAS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FAS and VYM?
37.6% of FAS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 17.6% of VYM's is in holdings FAS also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in FAS and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FAS or VYM?
FAS yields 7.82% while VYM yields 2.22%, so FAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FAS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FAS led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.