FICS vs VOO
First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FICS or VOO?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FICS is less concentrated, with 23.4% 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 | FICS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $208M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 56 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +3.42% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.36% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.33% | +21.37%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.78% | +13.49%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.2% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,630 | $18,827Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.4%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 15, 2020 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 16, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.8 years).
FICS 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
FICS vs VOO Performance
First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) 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 FICS returned +8.36% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, FICS is up 3.42% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FICS compounded at +11.33% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +4.78% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.95% annualized vs +7.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.6% for FICS. 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 FICS 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FICS charges 0.70% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FICS currently yields 1.81% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in FICS and 494 in VOO, totalling 99.7% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FICS and 494 in VOO, against full books of 56 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 487 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FICS (99.2% of the fund), and 2 for FICS that do not appear in VOO (4.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FICS 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, FICS or VOO?
FICS has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FICS or VOO?
Over the past year FICS returned +8.36% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FICS annualized +7.12% vs +14.95% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FICS or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.6% for FICS. Worst drawdown: FICS -29.2% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both FICS and VOO?
FICS and VOO 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, FICS or VOO?
FICS yields 1.81% while VOO yields 1.04%, so FICS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FICS?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FICS is less concentrated, with 23.4% 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.