FNDC vs VYM
Schwab Fundamental International Small Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FNDC or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FNDC led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. FNDC is less concentrated, with 2.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | FNDC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.51% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,591 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.82%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +16.65%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.88%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.25% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,864 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 2.6%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 15, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 15, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.1 years).
FNDC 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 13.1 years both funds cover.
FNDC vs VYM Performance
Schwab Fundamental International Small Equity ETF (FNDC) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FNDC returned +16.65% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, FNDC is up 12.82% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, FNDC compounded at +18.88% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.25% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.39% annualized vs +6.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNDC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% 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 -46.2% for FNDC 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNDC charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNDC currently yields 3.51% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.7% of FNDC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings FNDC also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
9 positions in common, counted across the 1,548 positions we hold weights for in FNDC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,591 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 521 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FNDC (96.5% of the fund), and 32 for FNDC that do not appear in VYM (2.0%).
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 FNDC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.22% | 0.14% | 0.08% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 0.10% | 0.13% | 0.03% |
| CCLCarnival Corporation Common Stock | 0.04% | 0.14% | 0.10% |
| KLICKulicke & Soffa Industries | 0.14% | 0.02% | 0.12% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 0.01% | 0.11% | 0.10% |
| BRSL:LNBrightstar Lottery Plc | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.04% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| HMNHorace Mann Educators Corp | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FNDC 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, FNDC or VYM?
FNDC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNDC or VYM?
Over the past year FNDC returned +16.65% vs +15.34% for VYM, so FNDC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FNDC annualized +6.78% vs +9.39% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNDC or VYM?
FNDC has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FNDC -46.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FNDC and VYM?
FNDC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, FNDC or VYM?
FNDC yields 3.51% while VYM yields 2.22%, so FNDC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FNDC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FNDC led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. FNDC is less concentrated, with 2.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.