FCG vs VOO
First Trust Natural Gas ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FCG or VOO?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FCG led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%.
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 | FCG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $667M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 86 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +33.25%Best | +13.37% |
| 1Y Return | +35.07%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.13% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.28%Best | +12.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.5% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -96.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,175Best | $18,335 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.7% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16 years).
FCG 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.
FCG vs VOO Performance
First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) 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 FCG returned +35.07% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, FCG is up 33.25% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FCG compounded at +8.13% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +20.28% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.48% annualized vs -4.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.5% 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 -96.7% for FCG 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCG charges 0.59% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCG currently yields 2.17% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
32.1% of FCG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.6% of VOO's money is in holdings FCG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
8 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in FCG and 505 in VOO, against full books of 86 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 489 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FCG (98.9% of the fund), and 31 for FCG that do not appear in VOO (62.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FCG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 4.62% | 0.20% | 4.42% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 4.49% | 0.11% | 4.38% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 4.13% | 0.05% | 4.08% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy, Inc. | 4.11% | 0.05% | 4.06% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 3.90% | 0.07% | 3.83% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 3.80% | 0.03% | 3.77% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 3.73% | 0.05% | 3.68% |
| APAApa Corp | 3.37% | 0.02% | 3.35% |
32.1% of FCG 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, FCG or VOO?
FCG has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCG or VOO?
Over the past year FCG returned +35.07% vs +20.08% for VOO, so FCG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FCG annualized -4.67% vs +13.48% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCG or VOO?
FCG has been the more volatile fund at 41.5% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FCG -96.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FCG and VOO?
FCG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 FCG and VOO?
32.1% of FCG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.6% of VOO's is in holdings FCG also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in FCG and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCG or VOO?
FCG yields 2.17% while VOO yields 1.08%, so FCG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FCG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FCG led over 1Y and 5Y, VOO over 3Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.