FSCS vs VYM
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FSCS or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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 | FSCS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 202 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.73% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.90% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.06% | +17.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.64% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,157 | $17,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 24, 2026 (9.3 years).
FSCS 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
FSCS vs VYM Performance
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) 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 FSCS returned -0.90% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, FSCS is up 0.73% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, FSCS compounded at +10.06% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.64% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.57% annualized vs +7.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 14.8% 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 -43.6% for FSCS 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSCS 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, FSCS currently yields 0.98% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
45.2% of FSCS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.5% of VYM's money is in holdings FSCS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
45 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 202 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 484 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FSCS (94.6% of the fund), and 51 for FSCS that do not appear in VYM (50.9%).
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 FSCS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKTXMarketaxess Holdings Inc?.? | 1.42% | 0.02% | 1.40% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 1.21% | 0.07% | 1.14% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 1.10% | 0.09% | 1.01% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 1.12% | 0.05% | 1.07% |
| RJFRaymond James Financial Inc. | 1.05% | 0.12% | 0.93% |
| DRIDarden Restaurants Inc. | 1.07% | 0.09% | 0.98% |
| SEICSei Investments Co. | 1.11% | 0.04% | 1.07% |
| KVUEKenvue Inc | 0.99% | 0.15% | 0.84% |
| KMBKimberly-Clark Corp. | 0.99% | 0.15% | 0.84% |
| AVYAvery Dennison Corp. | 1.08% | 0.05% | 1.03% |
45.2% of FSCS 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, FSCS or VYM?
FSCS 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, FSCS or VYM?
Over the past year FSCS returned -0.90% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FSCS annualized +7.47% vs +9.57% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSCS or VYM?
FSCS has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FSCS -43.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FSCS and VYM?
FSCS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FSCS and VYM?
45.2% of FSCS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.5% of VYM's is in holdings FSCS also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSCS or VYM?
FSCS yields 0.98% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FSCS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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.