FGD vs VOO
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FGD or VOO?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y and 3Y, VOO over 5Y and the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 17.3% 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 | FGD | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.87% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 212 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +12.43% | +13.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.58%Best | +18.56% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.16%Best | +23.49% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.97% | +13.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.3% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,600 | $18,703Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.3%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 25, 2026 (16 years).
FGD 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 16 years both funds cover.
FGD vs VOO Performance
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FGD returned +23.58% while VOO returned +18.56%. Year to date, FGD is up 12.43% versus a gain of 13.82% for VOO.
Over three years, FGD compounded at +24.16% per year against +23.49% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.97% and +13.34% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.46% annualized vs +4.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 14.1% 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 -53.3% for FGD and -34.3% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGD charges 0.55% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGD currently yields 4.87% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
11.0% of FGD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.9% of VOO's money is in holdings FGD also owns.
FGD and VOO share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 494 in VOO, against full books of 212 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 476 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FGD (98.2% of the fund), and 9 for FGD that do not appear in VOO (11.7%).
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 FGD | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPQHp Inc. | 1.62% | 0.04% | 1.58% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.90% | 0.30% | 0.60% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 1.01% | 0.18% | 0.83% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.13% | 0.03% | 1.10% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc | 1.04% | 0.07% | 0.97% |
| TROWT Rowe Price Grp | 1.06% | 0.04% | 1.02% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 0.99% | 0.02% | 0.97% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 0.85% | 0.12% | 0.73% |
| GISGeneral Mills In | 0.83% | 0.03% | 0.80% |
| LYBLyondellbasell-a | 0.82% | 0.02% | 0.80% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FGD 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, FGD or VOO?
FGD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGD or VOO?
Over the past year FGD returned +23.58% vs +18.56% for VOO, so FGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FGD annualized +4.82% vs +13.46% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGD or VOO?
FGD has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FGD -53.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FGD and VOO?
FGD and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 FGD and VOO?
11.0% of FGD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.9% of VOO's is in holdings FGD also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in FGD and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGD or VOO?
FGD yields 4.87% while VOO yields 1.04%, so FGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FGD?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FGD led over 1Y and 3Y, VOO over 5Y and the full window. FGD is less concentrated, with 17.3% 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.