FHLC vs VYM
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FHLC or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FHLC led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.5%.
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 | FHLC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 341 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.35% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.53%Best | +19.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.43% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.23% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,903 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 9, 2026 (12.9 years).
FHLC 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
FHLC vs VYM Performance
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FHLC returned +23.53% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, FHLC is up 9.35% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, FHLC compounded at +10.43% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.23% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, FHLC has the edge at +10.15% annualized vs +9.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FHLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 13.4% 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 -29.2% for FHLC and -35.7% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FHLC charges 0.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FHLC currently yields 1.23% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
45.3% of FHLC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 12.7% of VYM's money is in holdings FHLC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, FHLC as of Aug 31, 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.
21 positions in common, counted across the 324 positions we hold weights for in FHLC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 341 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 546 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FHLC (84.6% of the fund), and 284 for FHLC that do not appear in VYM (52.9%).
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 FHLC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 8.82% | 2.54% | 6.28% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 6.24% | 1.85% | 4.39% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 4.87% | 1.56% | 3.31% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 5.03% | 1.32% | 3.71% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 3.20% | 0.75% | 2.45% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.65% | 0.65% | 2.00% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 2.50% | 0.65% | 1.85% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 2.23% | 0.57% | 1.66% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 1.88% | 0.49% | 1.39% |
| CVSCvs Health Corp. | 1.65% | 0.55% | 1.10% |
45.3% of FHLC 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, FHLC or VYM?
FHLC has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FHLC or VYM?
Over the past year FHLC returned +23.53% vs +19.42% for VYM, so FHLC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FHLC annualized +10.15% vs +9.43% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FHLC or VYM?
FHLC has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FHLC -29.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FHLC and VYM?
FHLC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 FHLC and VYM?
45.3% of FHLC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 12.7% of VYM's is in holdings FHLC also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 324 positions we hold weights for in FHLC and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FHLC or VYM?
FHLC yields 1.23% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FHLC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FHLC led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.