FDNI vs VYM
First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FDNI or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.8%.
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 | FDNI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $36M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 90 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -24.60% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | -27.88% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.03% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -8.91% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.6% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,271 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 7, 2018 to Sep 9, 2026 (7.8 years).
FDNI 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 7.8 years both funds cover.
FDNI vs VYM Performance
First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDNI returned -27.88% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, FDNI is down 24.60% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, FDNI compounded at +7.03% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -8.91% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.67% annualized vs +4.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDNI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.6% compared with 15.5% 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 -71.1% for FDNI and -35.7% 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDNI charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDNI currently yields 1.35% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 40 holdings in FDNI and 603 in VYM, totalling 100.0% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FDNI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 90 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FDNI (97.3% of the fund), and 5 for FDNI that do not appear in VYM (12.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDNI 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, FDNI or VYM?
FDNI has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDNI or VYM?
Over the past year FDNI returned -27.88% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FDNI annualized +4.28% vs +10.67% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDNI or VYM?
FDNI has been the more volatile fund at 27.6% annualized versus 15.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FDNI -71.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FDNI and VYM?
FDNI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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, FDNI or VYM?
FDNI yields 1.35% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FDNI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.