FCG vs VYM
First Trust Natural Gas ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FCG or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FCG led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $667M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 86 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +33.25%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +35.07%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.13% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.28%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -97.6% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,175Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.3 years).
FCG 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FCG vs VYM Performance
First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) 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 FCG returned +35.07% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FCG is up 33.25% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FCG compounded at +8.13% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +20.28% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs -5.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.8% compared with 14.7% 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 -97.6% for FCG and -58.8% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCG charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCG currently yields 2.17% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
60.6% of FCG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.9% of VYM's money is in holdings FCG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
18 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in FCG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 86 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 552 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FCG (95.5% of the fund), and 21 for FCG that do not appear in VYM (33.6%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 4.62% | 0.53% | 4.09% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 4.49% | 0.29% | 4.20% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 4.13% | 0.15% | 3.98% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy, Inc. | 4.11% | 0.14% | 3.97% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 3.90% | 0.19% | 3.71% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 3.88% | 0.06% | 3.82% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 3.80% | 0.09% | 3.71% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 3.73% | 0.13% | 3.60% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 3.79% | 0.06% | 3.73% |
| APAApa Corp | 3.37% | 0.05% | 3.32% |
60.6% of FCG 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, FCG or VYM?
FCG has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCG or VYM?
Over the past year FCG returned +35.07% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FCG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FCG annualized -5.02% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCG or VYM?
FCG has been the more volatile fund at 40.8% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FCG -97.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FCG and VYM?
FCG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 VYM?
60.6% of FCG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.9% of VYM's is in holdings FCG also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in FCG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCG or VYM?
FCG yields 2.17% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FCG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FCG led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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.