FGSI vs VYM
FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FGSI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. FGSI is less concentrated, with 23.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | FGSI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.14% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 104 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.53% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.5% | 8.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.6% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,020 | $12,530Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.7%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.2 years).
FGSI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
FGSI vs VYM Performance
FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) 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 FGSI returned +4.53% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, FGSI is up 6.41% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FGSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.5% compared with 8.9% 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 -8.6% for FGSI and -6.7% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGSI charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGSI currently yields 8.14% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
26.3% of FGSI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.3% of VYM's money is in holdings FGSI also owns.
FGSI and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FGSI as of Sep 1, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
13 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FGSI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 104 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 555 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FGSI (87.2% of the fund), and 37 for FGSI that do not appear in VYM (73.1%).
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 FGSI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.90% | 7.29% | 5.39% |
| NEMNewmont Corp. | 2.67% | 0.41% | 2.26% |
| CMECme Group Inc. | 2.22% | 0.33% | 1.89% |
| TGTTarget Corp. | 2.19% | 0.25% | 1.94% |
| BKRBaker Hughes A Ge Co. Class A | 2.16% | 0.23% | 1.93% |
| GRMNGarmin Ltd. | 2.16% | 0.16% | 2.00% |
| CBChubb Ltd Common Stock Usd 24.15 | 1.82% | 0.50% | 1.32% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 1.91% | 0.38% | 1.53% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 2.12% | 0.13% | 1.99% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.95% | 0.28% | 1.67% |
26.3% of FGSI 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, FGSI or VYM?
FGSI has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGSI or VYM?
Over the past year FGSI returned +4.53% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FGSI annualized +8.43% vs +20.68% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGSI or VYM?
FGSI has been the more volatile fund at 9.5% annualized versus 8.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FGSI -8.6% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both FGSI and VYM?
FGSI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 FGSI and VYM?
26.3% of FGSI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.3% of VYM's is in holdings FGSI also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FGSI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGSI or VYM?
FGSI yields 8.14% while VYM yields 2.22%, so FGSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FGSI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. FGSI is less concentrated, with 23.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.