FDG vs VYM
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FDG or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $420M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 45 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.53% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.75% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.62%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.87% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,295 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | American Century ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2020 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.4 years).
FDG 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
FDG vs VYM Performance
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF (FDG) is an ETF from American Century ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDG returned +14.75% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FDG is up 5.53% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FDG compounded at +25.62% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.87% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FDG has the edge at +21.40% annualized vs +17.06%.
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 13.6% 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 -43.7% for FDG and -15.8% 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDG charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDG currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of FDG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.8% of VYM's money is in holdings FDG also owns.
VYM and FDG share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 45 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FDG (89.4% of the fund), and 37 for FDG that do not appear in VYM (91.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDG and VYM 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, FDG or VYM?
FDG has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDG or VYM?
Over the past year FDG returned +14.75% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FDG annualized +21.40% vs +17.06% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDG or VYM?
FDG has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FDG -43.7% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both FDG and VYM?
FDG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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 VYM?
7.8% of VYM's money is in holdings FDG also owns. 7.8% of VYM's is in holdings FDG also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDG or VYM?
FDG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FDG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% 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.