FNY vs VYM
First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FNY or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FNY led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. FNY is less concentrated, with 8.3% 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 | FNY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.73% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $582M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 226 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.79% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.55% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.57% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.50% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,701 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.3%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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 4, 2026 (15.4 years).
FNY 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.
FNY vs VYM Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) 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 FNY returned +16.55% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FNY is up 10.79% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FNY compounded at +17.57% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.50% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FNY has the edge at +11.33% annualized vs +9.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% 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 -38.9% for FNY 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNY charges 0.73% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $73 vs $4 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNY currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.7% of FNY's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings FNY also owns.
FNY and VYM share little of their money.
27 positions in common, counted across the 226 positions we hold weights for in FNY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 226 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 541 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FNY (96.5% of the fund), and 195 for FNY that do not appear in VYM (88.2%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FNY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IVZInvesco Plc | 0.75% | 0.04% | 0.71% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 0.74% | 0.02% | 0.72% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.64% | 0.03% | 0.61% |
| EBCEastern Bankshares Inc | 0.64% | 0.02% | 0.62% |
| TNLTravel + Leisure Co. | 0.63% | 0.02% | 0.61% |
| RLRalph Lauren Corp. Class A | 0.58% | 0.06% | 0.52% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.59% | 0.04% | 0.55% |
| EVREvercore, Inc. Class A | 0.57% | 0.05% | 0.52% |
| HRIHerc Holdings Inc Com | 0.54% | 0.02% | 0.52% |
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 0.50% | 0.05% | 0.45% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FNY 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, FNY or VYM?
FNY has an expense ratio of 0.73% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNY or VYM?
Over the past year FNY returned +16.55% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FNY annualized +11.33% vs +9.92% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNY or VYM?
FNY has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FNY -38.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FNY and VYM?
FNY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 FNY and VYM?
10.7% of FNY's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's is in holdings FNY also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 226 positions we hold weights for in FNY and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNY or VYM?
FNY yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FNY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FNY led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. FNY is less concentrated, with 8.3% 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.