FSMD vs VOO
Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FSMD or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSMD is less concentrated, with 8.8% 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 | FSMD | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.25% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 601 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +16.56%Best | +13.37% |
| 1Y Return | +18.06% | +20.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.02% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.94% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.9% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,061 | $18,335Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.8%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2019 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.5 years).
FSMD 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 7.5 years both funds cover.
FSMD vs VOO Performance
Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF (FSMD) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FSMD returned +18.06% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, FSMD is up 16.56% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FSMD compounded at +17.02% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +9.94% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +15.68% annualized vs +11.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 16.4% 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 -40.9% for FSMD 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSMD charges 0.15% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSMD currently yields 1.25% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
14.4% of FSMD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.8% of VOO's money is in holdings FSMD also owns.
FSMD and VOO share little of their money.
37 positions in common, counted across the 588 positions we hold weights for in FSMD and 505 in VOO, against full books of 601 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 461 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FSMD (97.8% of the fund), and 537 for FSMD that do not appear in VOO (83.1%).
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 FSMD | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 2.36% | 0.52% | 1.84% |
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 0.86% | 0.10% | 0.76% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 0.85% | 0.11% | 0.74% |
| CIENCiena Corp | 0.82% | 0.11% | 0.71% |
| COHRCoherent, Inc | 0.76% | 0.12% | 0.64% |
| FLEX:SIFlex Ltd | 0.69% | 0.09% | 0.60% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 0.52% | 0.06% | 0.46% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.52% | 0.05% | 0.47% |
| CASYCaseys General | 0.51% | 0.05% | 0.46% |
| LLoews Corp | 0.33% | 0.03% | 0.30% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSMD 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, FSMD or VOO?
FSMD has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSMD or VOO?
Over the past year FSMD returned +18.06% vs +20.08% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FSMD annualized +11.28% vs +15.68% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSMD or VOO?
FSMD has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 16.4% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FSMD -40.9% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FSMD and VOO?
FSMD and VOO 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 FSMD and VOO?
14.4% of FSMD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.8% of VOO's is in holdings FSMD also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 588 positions we hold weights for in FSMD and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSMD or VOO?
FSMD yields 1.25% while VOO yields 1.08%, so FSMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FSMD?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSMD is less concentrated, with 8.8% 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.