FNK vs VYM
First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FNK or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FNK is less concentrated, with 8.5% 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 | FNK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $232M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 452 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.87%Best | +14.33% |
| 1Y Return | +15.58% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.87% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.06% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,429 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.5%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2011 to Sep 8, 2026 (15.4 years).
FNK 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.
FNK vs VYM Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FNK) 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 FNK returned +15.58% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, FNK is up 14.87% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, FNK compounded at +13.87% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.06% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.88% annualized vs +8.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% 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 -52.1% for FNK 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNK charges 0.74% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $4 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNK currently yields 1.43% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
57.4% of FNK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.0% of VYM's money is in holdings FNK also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
127 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in FNK and 602 in VYM, against full books of 452 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 444 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FNK (93.3% of the fund), and 94 for FNK that do not appear in VYM (40.3%).
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 FNK | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| G:BMGenpact Limited | 0.90% | 0.02% | 0.88% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.84% | 0.04% | 0.80% |
| ADTThe Adt Corporation | 0.83% | 0.02% | 0.81% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.77% | 0.06% | 0.71% |
| CFCf Industries Ho | 0.76% | 0.07% | 0.69% |
| MMSMaximus | 0.82% | 0.01% | 0.81% |
| SMSm Energy Co_None_0 | 0.78% | 0.03% | 0.75% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 0.75% | 0.06% | 0.69% |
| GPKGraphic Packaging Holding Co | 0.79% | 0.01% | 0.78% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.75% | 0.05% | 0.70% |
57.4% of FNK 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, FNK or VYM?
FNK has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNK or VYM?
Over the past year FNK returned +15.58% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FNK annualized +8.37% vs +9.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNK or VYM?
FNK has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FNK -52.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FNK and VYM?
FNK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FNK and VYM?
57.4% of FNK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.0% of VYM's is in holdings FNK also owns. They hold 127 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in FNK and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNK or VYM?
FNK yields 1.43% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FNK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FNK is less concentrated, with 8.5% 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.