FCFY vs VYM
First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FCFY or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.5%.
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 | FCFY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.41% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 101 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.75% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.59% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.60% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 10.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,049 | $16,784Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 23, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (3 years).
FCFY 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 3 years both funds cover.
FCFY vs VYM Performance
First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FCFY returned +16.59% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FCFY is up 11.75% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FCFY compounded at +16.60% per year against +18.64% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCFY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 10.8% 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 -21.4% for FCFY and -14.5% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCFY charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCFY currently yields 1.41% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
54.1% of FCFY's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.9% of VYM's money is in holdings FCFY also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
52 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FCFY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 101 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 100 and 603 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 518 positions FCFY does not, 87.5% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.29%, JPM 3.38%, JNJ 2.54%, XOM 2.36%, CAT 2.01%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FCFY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPQHp Inc. | 3.61% | 0.08% | 3.53% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 3.46% | 0.04% | 3.42% |
| NTAPNetapp Inc | 3.30% | 0.13% | 3.17% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 2.45% | 0.81% | 1.64% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 2.49% | 0.36% | 2.13% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 2.55% | 0.09% | 2.46% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 2.40% | 0.06% | 2.34% |
| FOXAFox Corp. Class A | 1.83% | 0.04% | 1.79% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 1.72% | 0.08% | 1.64% |
| SYFSynchrony Financial | 1.64% | 0.11% | 1.53% |
54.1% of FCFY 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FCFY or VYM?
FCFY has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCFY or VYM?
Over the past year FCFY returned +16.59% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCFY or VYM?
FCFY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 10.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FCFY -21.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both FCFY and VYM?
FCFY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 FCFY and VYM?
54.1% of FCFY's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.9% of VYM's is in holdings FCFY also owns. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FCFY and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCFY or VYM?
FCFY yields 1.41% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FCFY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.