FDG vs VOO
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FDG or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%.
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 | FDG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $420M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 45 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +5.62% | +12.74%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.25% | +19.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.66%Best | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.96% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,358 | $18,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | American Century ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2020 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2020 to Sep 8, 2026 (6.4 years).
FDG 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
FDG vs VOO Performance
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF (FDG) is an ETF from American Century ETFs and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDG returned +14.25% while VOO returned +19.43%. Year to date, FDG is up 5.62% versus a gain of 12.74% for VOO.
Over three years, FDG compounded at +25.66% per year against +21.18% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.96% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FDG has the edge at +21.38% annualized vs +20.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% compared with 15.3% 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 -43.7% for FDG and -24.5% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDG charges 0.45% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDG currently yields 0.00% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
76.6% of FDG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 29.5% of VOO's money is in holdings FDG also owns.
Most of FDG is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
23 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 504 in VOO, against full books of 45 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 471 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FDG (69.8% of the fund), and 16 for FDG that do not appear in VOO (16.4%).
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 FDG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 17.27% | 7.51% | 9.76% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc., Class C | 16.00% | 2.59% | 13.41% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 7.05% | 3.62% | 3.43% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.10% | 4.30% | 0.20% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 6.53% | 1.84% | 4.69% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 3.17% | 1.92% | 1.25% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 3.75% | 0.16% | 3.59% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.11% | 2.77% | 1.66% |
| LRCXLam Resh Corp | 2.17% | 0.84% | 1.33% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.29% | 0.47% | 1.82% |
76.6% of FDG 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, FDG or VOO?
FDG has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDG or VOO?
Over the past year FDG returned +14.25% vs +19.43% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FDG annualized +21.38% vs +20.32% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDG or VOO?
FDG has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 15.3% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FDG -43.7% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both FDG and VOO?
FDG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FDG and VOO?
76.6% of FDG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 29.5% of VOO's is in holdings FDG also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDG or VOO?
FDG yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.08%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FDG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y and 5Y. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.