FT vs VYM
Franklin Universal Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FT or VYM?
Debt-oriented balanced against Large Cap Value.
FT has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $212M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.95% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 704 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -2.96% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.26% | +17.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.81% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.44% | +12.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,426 | $17,797Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Debt-oriented balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 1988 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.8 years).
FT 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
FT vs VYM Performance
Franklin Universal Trust (FT) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FT returned +0.26% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, FT is down 2.96% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, FT compounded at +10.81% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.44% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +2.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.5% 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 -59.4% for FT and -58.8% 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FT charges 0.00% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FT currently yields 5.95% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.9% of VYM's money is in holdings FT also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for FT, our book for it lists positions totalling 114.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and FT share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, FT as of Feb 28, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
26 positions in common, counted across the 307 positions we hold weights for in FT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 704 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.74% | 0.74% | 4.00% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 3.81% | 0.24% | 3.57% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.82% | 0.20% | 2.62% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 2.65% | 0.08% | 2.57% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 2.30% | 0.40% | 1.90% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 2.54% | 0.07% | 2.47% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 2.14% | 0.43% | 1.71% |
| CNPCenterpoint Energy Inc. | 2.35% | 0.11% | 2.24% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 2.12% | 0.28% | 1.84% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 2.01% | 0.20% | 1.81% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FT 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, FT or VYM?
FT has an expense ratio of 0.00% while VYM charges 0.04%. FT is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FT or VYM?
Over the past year FT returned +0.26% vs +17.46% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FT annualized +2.50% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FT or VYM?
FT has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FT -59.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FT and VYM?
FT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 FT and VYM?
At least 4.9% of VYM's money is in holdings FT also owns. Our book for FT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 307 positions we hold weights for in FT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FT or VYM?
FT yields 5.95% while VYM yields 2.22%, so FT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FT?
FT has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.