FBT vs VOO
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FBT or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FBT led over 1Y and the full window, VOO over 3Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.7%.
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 | FBT | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 62 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +30.43%Best | +13.37% |
| 1Y Return | +55.00%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.22% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.55% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,778 | $18,335Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.7% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16 years).
FBT 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.
FBT vs VOO Performance
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) 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 FBT returned +55.00% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, FBT is up 30.43% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FBT compounded at +21.22% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.55% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, FBT has the edge at +13.93% annualized vs +13.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% 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 -40.5% for FBT 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FBT charges 0.55% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FBT currently yields 0.00% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
21.2% of FBT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.7% of VOO's money is in holdings FBT also owns.
FBT and VOO share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FBT and 505 in VOO, against full books of 62 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 491 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FBT (98.8% of the fund), and 19 for FBT that do not appear in VOO (62.1%).
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.
21.2% of FBT 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FBT or VOO?
FBT has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FBT or VOO?
Over the past year FBT returned +55.00% vs +20.08% for VOO, so FBT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FBT annualized +13.93% vs +13.48% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FBT or VOO?
FBT has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FBT -40.5% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FBT and VOO?
FBT and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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 FBT and VOO?
21.2% of FBT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.7% of VOO's is in holdings FBT also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FBT and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FBT or VOO?
FBT yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.08%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FBT?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FBT led over 1Y and the full window, VOO over 3Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.