FTC vs VYM
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTC or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTC led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. FTC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | FTC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 376 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.68% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.29% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.84%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.13% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.5%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,478 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.3 years).
FTC 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FTC vs VYM Performance
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) 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 FTC returned +9.29% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, FTC is up 8.68% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, FTC compounded at +20.84% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.13% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FTC has the edge at +9.72% annualized vs +6.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 14.7% 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 -54.5% for FTC 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTC charges 0.58% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $4 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTC currently yields 0.15% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
24.1% of FTC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 37.1% of VYM's money is in holdings FTC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTC as of Sep 1, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
49 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 376 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 519 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTC (60.4% of the fund), and 134 for FTC that do not appear in VYM (74.1%).
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 FTC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.55% | 7.29% | 6.74% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 0.42% | 3.38% | 2.96% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 0.59% | 2.54% | 1.95% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.72% | 2.01% | 1.29% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.73% | 1.93% | 1.20% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.39% | 1.85% | 1.46% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.65% | 1.32% | 0.67% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.99% | 0.97% | 0.02% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc. | 0.79% | 1.15% | 0.36% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.88% | 0.80% | 0.08% |
37.1% of VYM is already inside FTC.
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, FTC or VYM?
FTC has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTC or VYM?
Over the past year FTC returned +9.29% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FTC annualized +9.72% vs +6.71% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTC or VYM?
FTC has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTC -54.5% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FTC and VYM?
FTC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FTC and VYM?
37.1% of VYM's money is in holdings FTC also owns. 37.1% of VYM's is in holdings FTC also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTC or VYM?
FTC yields 0.15% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTC led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. FTC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.