FNX vs VYM
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FNX or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FNX led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. FNX is less concentrated, with 5.0% 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 | FNX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 451 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.25% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.57% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.12% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.51% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.6%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,043 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.4 years).
FNX 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
FNX vs VYM Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) 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 FNX returned +10.57% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, FNX is up 9.25% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, FNX compounded at +15.12% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.51% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FNX has the edge at +8.61% annualized vs +6.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 14.7% 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 -57.6% for FNX and -58.8% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNX charges 0.62% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $4 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNX currently yields 0.81% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
40.2% of FNX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.2% of VYM's money is in holdings FNX also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
162 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 451 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 367 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FNX (91.9% of the fund), and 279 for FNX that do not appear in VYM (57.4%).
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 FNX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.55% | 0.06% | 0.49% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.53% | 0.03% | 0.50% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.50% | 0.05% | 0.45% |
| G:BMGenpact Ltd | 0.52% | 0.02% | 0.50% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 0.47% | 0.07% | 0.40% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.47% | 0.07% | 0.40% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.45% | 0.08% | 0.37% |
| GAPGap Inc | 0.45% | 0.02% | 0.43% |
| MTDRMatador Resources Co | 0.44% | 0.02% | 0.42% |
| RRCRange Resources Corp | 0.42% | 0.04% | 0.38% |
40.2% of FNX 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, FNX or VYM?
FNX has an expense ratio of 0.62% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNX or VYM?
Over the past year FNX returned +10.57% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FNX annualized +8.61% vs +6.61% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNX or VYM?
FNX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FNX -57.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FNX and VYM?
FNX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FNX and VYM?
40.2% of FNX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.2% of VYM's is in holdings FNX also owns. They hold 162 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNX or VYM?
FNX yields 0.81% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FNX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FNX led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. FNX is less concentrated, with 5.0% 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.