FDLS vs VYM
Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FDLS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FDLS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. FDLS is less concentrated, with 13.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | FDLS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $250M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +21.46%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +27.98%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.81%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.3% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $18,977Best | $17,038 |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.6%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Inspire ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 23, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (4 years).
FDLS 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 4 years both funds cover.
FDLS vs VYM Performance
Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF (FDLS) is an ETF from Inspire ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDLS returned +27.98% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FDLS is up 21.46% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FDLS compounded at +19.81% per year against +18.64% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, FDLS has the edge at +17.37% annualized vs +14.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 13.3% 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 -23.3% for FDLS 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDLS charges 0.66% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $4 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDLS currently yields 0.80% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
28.3% of FDLS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.8% of VYM's money is in holdings FDLS also owns.
FDLS and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, FDLS 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.
29 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in FDLS and 602 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 542 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FDLS (87.9% of the fund), and 58 for FDLS that do not appear in VYM (57.7%).
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 FDLS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.89% | 7.29% | 6.40% |
| VLOValero Energy Corp | 1.39% | 0.32% | 1.07% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 1.38% | 0.04% | 1.34% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.05% | 0.29% | 0.76% |
| SLBSlb Ltd. | 1.05% | 0.29% | 0.76% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation 4.75 05/15/2042 | 1.06% | 0.19% | 0.87% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.18% | 0.05% | 1.13% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.14% | 0.06% | 1.08% |
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 1.02% | 0.15% | 0.87% |
| JKHYJack Henry & Associates Inc. | 1.12% | 0.04% | 1.08% |
28.3% of FDLS 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FDLS or VYM?
FDLS has an expense ratio of 0.66% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDLS or VYM?
Over the past year FDLS returned +27.98% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FDLS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FDLS annualized +17.37% vs +14.25% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDLS or VYM?
FDLS has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 13.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FDLS -23.3% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both FDLS and VYM?
FDLS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 FDLS and VYM?
28.3% of FDLS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.8% of VYM's is in holdings FDLS also owns. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in FDLS and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDLS or VYM?
FDLS yields 0.80% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FDLS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FDLS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. FDLS is less concentrated, with 13.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.