FCTE vs VYM
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FCTE or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.6%.
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 | FCTE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $240M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.08% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 21 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.74% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.42% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 9.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,681 | $14,708Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.6% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | 3FourteenSMI | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 2, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2024 to Sep 3, 2026 (2.2 years).
FCTE 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
FCTE vs VYM Performance
SMI 3Fourteen Full-Cycle Trend ETF (FCTE) is an ETF from 3FourteenSMI and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FCTE returned +10.42% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, FCTE is up 13.74% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCTE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 9.9% 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 -19.7% for FCTE 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCTE charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCTE currently yields 0.08% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.4% of FCTE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.9% of VYM's money is in holdings FCTE also owns.
FCTE and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, FCTE as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in FCTE and 603 in VYM, against full books of 21 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 564 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FCTE (92.6% of the fund), and 14 for FCTE that do not appear in VYM (70.6%).
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.
29.4% of FCTE 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, FCTE or VYM?
FCTE has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCTE or VYM?
Over the past year FCTE returned +10.42% vs +22.23% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FCTE annualized +7.32% vs +19.17% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCTE or VYM?
FCTE has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 9.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FCTE -19.7% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both FCTE and VYM?
FCTE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 FCTE and VYM?
29.4% of FCTE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.9% of VYM's is in holdings FCTE also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in FCTE and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCTE or VYM?
FCTE yields 0.08% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FCTE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.