FSGS vs VOO
First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FSGS or VOO?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSGS is less concentrated, with 11.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%.
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 | FSGS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.03% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 202 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +9.99% | +13.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.24% | +20.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.36% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.82% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.0% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,654 | $18,335Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.7%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.2 years).
FSGS vs VOO 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
FSGS vs VOO Performance
First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF (FSGS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FSGS returned +6.24% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, FSGS is up 9.99% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FSGS compounded at +9.36% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +4.82% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.28% annualized vs +6.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSGS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 15.9% for VOO. 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 -45.0% for FSGS and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSGS charges 0.60% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSGS currently yields 0.03% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
16.9% of FSGS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.6% of VOO's money is in holdings FSGS also owns.
FSGS and VOO share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSGS and 505 in VOO, against full books of 202 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 481 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FSGS (99.0% of the fund), and 82 for FSGS that do not appear in VOO (82.0%).
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 FSGS | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 1.08% | 0.05% | 1.03% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 1.07% | 0.06% | 1.01% |
| PTCPtc Inc | 1.08% | 0.02% | 1.06% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc., Class A | 1.05% | 0.04% | 1.01% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 1.04% | 0.04% | 1.00% |
| ERIEErie Indemnity Co | 1.06% | 0.01% | 1.05% |
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 1.05% | 0.02% | 1.03% |
| STE:IESteris Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.03% | 0.03% | 1.00% |
| INCYIncyte Corp. | 0.98% | 0.03% | 0.95% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 0.96% | 0.05% | 0.91% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSGS and VOO 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, FSGS or VOO?
FSGS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSGS or VOO?
Over the past year FSGS returned +6.24% vs +20.08% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FSGS annualized +6.93% vs +14.28% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSGS or VOO?
FSGS has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 15.9% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FSGS -45.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FSGS and VOO?
FSGS and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 FSGS and VOO?
16.9% of FSGS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.6% of VOO's is in holdings FSGS also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSGS and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSGS or VOO?
FSGS yields 0.03% while VOO yields 1.08%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FSGS?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSGS is less concentrated, with 11.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.