FFEM vs VYM
Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FFEM or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FFEM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.2%.
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 | FFEM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 125 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +25.07%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +47.60%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 10.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.3% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $17,651Best | $13,000 |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.8 years).
FFEM 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
FFEM vs VYM Performance
Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF (FFEM) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FFEM returned +47.60% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FFEM is up 25.07% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 10.3% 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 -16.3% for FFEM 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFEM charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFEM currently yields 1.26% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of FFEM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings FFEM also owns.
FFEM and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 106 positions we hold weights for in FFEM and 603 in VYM, against full books of 125 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FFEM (97.3% of the fund), and 8 for FFEM that do not appear in VYM (3.3%).
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 FFEM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 1.27% | 0.11% | 1.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FFEM 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, FFEM or VYM?
FFEM has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFEM or VYM?
Over the past year FFEM returned +47.60% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FFEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FFEM annualized +37.12% vs +15.69% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFEM or VYM?
FFEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 10.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FFEM -16.3% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both FFEM and VYM?
FFEM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 FFEM and VYM?
1.3% of FFEM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings FFEM also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 106 positions we hold weights for in FFEM and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFEM or VYM?
FFEM yields 1.26% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FFEM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FFEM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.