FLN vs VYM
First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FLN or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FLN led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%.
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 | FLN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $41M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 56 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.34%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +33.16%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.80% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.74% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.0% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,420 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.4 years).
FLN 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FLN vs VYM Performance
First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) 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 FLN returned +33.16% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FLN is up 18.34% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FLN compounded at +16.80% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.74% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.92% annualized vs +0.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.0% compared with 13.0% 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 -67.7% for FLN 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLN charges 0.80% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $4 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLN currently yields 3.38% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.0% of FLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings FLN also owns.
FLN and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FLN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 56 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FLN (97.3% of the fund), and 1 for FLN that do not appear in VYM (0.5%).
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 FLN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 3.05% | 0.11% | 2.94% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLN and VYM 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, FLN or VYM?
FLN has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLN or VYM?
Over the past year FLN returned +33.16% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FLN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FLN annualized +0.74% vs +9.92% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLN or VYM?
FLN has been the more volatile fund at 26.0% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FLN -67.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FLN and VYM?
FLN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 FLN and VYM?
3.0% of FLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings FLN also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FLN and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLN or VYM?
FLN yields 3.38% while VYM yields 2.24%, so FLN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FLN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FLN led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.