FFSM vs VOO
Fidelity Fundamental Small-Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FFSM or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FFSM led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FFSM is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | FFSM | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 222 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.65% | +13.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.94%Best | +18.56% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.96% | +23.49%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.23% | +13.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.6% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,850 | $18,703Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.0%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 2, 2021 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2021 to Sep 25, 2026 (5.6 years).
FFSM 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
FFSM vs VOO Performance
Fidelity Fundamental Small-Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FFSM returned +19.94% while VOO returned +18.56%. Year to date, FFSM is up 10.65% versus a gain of 13.82% for VOO.
Over three years, FFSM compounded at +18.96% per year against +23.49% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.23% and +13.34% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.68% annualized vs +10.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 15.2% 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 -26.6% for FFSM 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFSM charges 0.43% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $3 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFSM currently yields 0.44% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
8.4% of FFSM's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.5% of VOO's money is in holdings FFSM also owns.
FFSM and VOO share little of their money.
19 positions in common, counted across the 213 positions we hold weights for in FFSM and 494 in VOO, against full books of 222 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 468 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FFSM (97.7% of the fund), and 174 for FFSM that do not appear in VOO (85.9%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FFSM | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 1.04% | 0.29% | 0.75% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 0.91% | 0.09% | 0.82% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 0.90% | 0.07% | 0.83% |
| COHRCoherent Corp | 0.63% | 0.08% | 0.55% |
| RJFRaymond James Financial Inc. | 0.57% | 0.05% | 0.52% |
| STXSeagate Technology Holdings Plc | 0.28% | 0.30% | 0.02% |
| PCGPg&E Corp. | 0.50% | 0.06% | 0.44% |
| UHSUniversal Health Services Inc. | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| TXTTextron Inc. | 0.49% | 0.02% | 0.47% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 0.40% | 0.08% | 0.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FFSM and VOO 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, FFSM or VOO?
FFSM has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFSM or VOO?
Over the past year FFSM returned +19.94% vs +18.56% for VOO, so FFSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FFSM annualized +10.24% vs +14.68% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFSM or VOO?
FFSM has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 15.2% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FFSM -26.6% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both FFSM and VOO?
FFSM and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 FFSM and VOO?
8.4% of FFSM's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.5% of VOO's is in holdings FFSM also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 213 positions we hold weights for in FFSM and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFSM or VOO?
FFSM yields 0.44% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FFSM?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FFSM led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FFSM is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.