FCVT vs VOO
First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FCVT or VOO?
Convertibles against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FCVT led over 1Y, VOO over 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 | FCVT | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $99M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 251 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +13.93%Best | +13.37% |
| 1Y Return | +23.86%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.32% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.95% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,732 | $18,335Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2015 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 4, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.8 years).
FCVT 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 10.8 years both funds cover.
FCVT vs VOO Performance
First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF (FCVT) 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 FCVT returned +23.86% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, FCVT is up 13.93% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FCVT compounded at +17.32% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +4.95% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.57% annualized vs +9.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.3% for FCVT. 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 -32.3% for FCVT 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCVT charges 0.95% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCVT currently yields 1.14% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of VOO's money is in holdings FCVT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FCVT, our book for it covers 45.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
4 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FCVT and 505 in VOO, against full books of 251 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCVT 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, FCVT or VOO?
FCVT has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCVT or VOO?
Over the past year FCVT returned +23.86% vs +20.08% for VOO, so FCVT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), FCVT annualized +9.37% vs +13.57% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCVT or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.3% for FCVT. Worst drawdown: FCVT -32.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FCVT and VOO?
FCVT and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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, FCVT or VOO?
FCVT yields 1.14% while VOO yields 1.08%, so FCVT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FCVT?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FCVT led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.