FFSM vs VYM
Fidelity Fundamental Small-Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FFSM or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FFSM led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. FFSM is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 222 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.34% | +9.40%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.16%Best | +13.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.48%Best | +18.32% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.39% | +11.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,960 | $17,133Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 2, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2021 to Sep 29, 2026 (5.6 years).
FFSM 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
FFSM vs VYM Performance
Fidelity Fundamental Small-Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FFSM returned +17.16% while VYM returned +13.45%. Year to date, FFSM is up 9.34% versus a gain of 9.40% for VYM.
Over three years, FFSM compounded at +18.48% per year against +18.32% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.39% and +11.37% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +12.54% annualized vs +9.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% 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 -26.6% for FFSM 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FFSM charges 0.43% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $4 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FFSM currently yields 0.44% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
27.9% of FFSM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's money is in holdings FFSM also owns.
FFSM and VYM share little of their money.
50 positions in common, counted across the 213 positions we hold weights for in FFSM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 222 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 480 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FFSM (94.9% of the fund), and 144 for FFSM that do not appear in VYM (67.5%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 1.33% | 0.03% | 1.30% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 1.19% | 0.02% | 1.17% |
| PRIPrimerica Inc (pri) | 1.12% | 0.04% | 1.08% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 1.07% | 0.06% | 1.01% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 1.04% | 0.07% | 0.97% |
| SFStifel Finl Corp | 0.95% | 0.05% | 0.90% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.84% | 0.06% | 0.78% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 0.80% | 0.03% | 0.77% |
| WTFCWintrust Financial Corp | 0.77% | 0.04% | 0.73% |
| HRIHerc Holdings Inc Com | 0.78% | 0.02% | 0.76% |
27.9% of FFSM 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FFSM or VYM?
FFSM has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FFSM or VYM?
Over the past year FFSM returned +17.16% vs +13.45% for VYM, so FFSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FFSM annualized +9.99% vs +12.54% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FFSM or VYM?
FFSM has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FFSM -26.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both FFSM and VYM?
FFSM 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 FFSM and VYM?
27.9% of FFSM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's is in holdings FFSM also owns. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 213 positions we hold weights for in FFSM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FFSM or VYM?
FFSM yields 0.44% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FFSM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FFSM led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. FFSM is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.