FRTY vs VYM
Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FRTY or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FRTY led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.6%.
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 | FRTY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $145M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.18% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 41 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.53%Best | +10.24% |
| 1Y Return | +9.99% | +14.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.44%Best | +18.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.10% | +11.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.1% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,562 | $17,172Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Alger | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 1, 2021 to Sep 25, 2026 (5.6 years).
FRTY 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
FRTY vs VYM Performance
Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) is an ETF from Alger and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FRTY returned +9.99% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, FRTY is up 10.53% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Over three years, FRTY compounded at +26.44% per year against +18.00% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.10% and +11.42% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +12.24% annualized vs +3.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% 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 -53.1% for FRTY and -15.8% 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 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRTY charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRTY currently yields 0.18% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.8% of FRTY's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings FRTY also owns.
FRTY and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in FRTY and 557 in VYM, against full books of 41 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FRTY (96.9% of the fund), and 34 for FRTY that do not appear in VYM (92.0%).
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 FRTY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 1.80% | 0.16% | 1.64% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FRTY 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, FRTY or VYM?
FRTY has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRTY or VYM?
Over the past year FRTY returned +9.99% vs +14.89% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FRTY annualized +3.56% vs +12.24% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRTY or VYM?
FRTY has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FRTY -53.1% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both FRTY and VYM?
FRTY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 FRTY and VYM?
1.8% of FRTY's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings FRTY also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in FRTY and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FRTY or VYM?
FRTY yields 0.18% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FRTY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FRTY led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.