FCAL vs VOO
First Trust California Municipal High income ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FCAL or VOO?
Municipal California against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FCAL | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $220M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.43% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 280 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -0.69% | +12.74%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.96% | +19.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.85% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.01% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.6%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.8%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,005 | $18,230Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 21, 2017 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 27, 2017 to Sep 8, 2026 (9.2 years).
FCAL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FCAL vs VOO Performance
First Trust California Municipal High income ETF (FCAL) 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 FCAL returned +1.96% while VOO returned +19.43%. Year to date, FCAL is down 0.69% versus a gain of 12.74% for VOO.
Over three years, FCAL compounded at +2.85% per year against +21.18% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +0.01% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.35% annualized vs +1.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 5.6% for FCAL. 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 -14.8% for FCAL 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 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCAL charges 0.49% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCAL currently yields 3.43% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 164 holdings in FCAL and 504 in VOO, totalling 57.4% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 164 positions we hold weights for in FCAL and 504 in VOO, against full books of 280 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCAL 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, FCAL or VOO?
FCAL has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCAL or VOO?
Over the past year FCAL returned +1.96% vs +19.43% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FCAL annualized +1.18% vs +14.35% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCAL or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 5.6% for FCAL. Worst drawdown: FCAL -14.8% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FCAL and VOO?
FCAL and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCAL or VOO?
FCAL yields 3.43% while VOO yields 1.08%, so FCAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FCAL?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.