FTDS vs VOO
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FTDS or VOO?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FTDS led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTDS is less concentrated, with 22.2% 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 | FTDS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 102 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +17.14%Best | +13.37% |
| 1Y Return | +20.77%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.34% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.19% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.6% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,823 | $18,335Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.2%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2006 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16 years).
FTDS 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 16 years both funds cover.
FTDS vs VOO Performance
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) 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 FTDS returned +20.77% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, FTDS is up 17.14% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, FTDS compounded at +17.34% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.19% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.48% annualized vs +9.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTDS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.1% 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 -42.6% for FTDS 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTDS charges 0.70% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $3 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTDS currently yields 1.53% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
74.4% of FTDS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 2.2% of VOO's money is in holdings FTDS also owns.
Most of FTDS is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
37 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTDS and 505 in VOO, against full books of 102 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 460 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FTDS (97.3% of the fund), and 12 for FTDS that do not appear in VOO (23.5%).
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 FTDS | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 2.42% | 0.03% | 2.39% |
| GRMNGarminltd. | 2.36% | 0.06% | 2.30% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 2.39% | 0.02% | 2.37% |
| INTUIntuit, Inc. | 2.19% | 0.11% | 2.08% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 2.14% | 0.09% | 2.05% |
| DGXQuest Diagnostics Inc | 2.18% | 0.04% | 2.14% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 2.08% | 0.11% | 1.97% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 2.04% | 0.13% | 1.91% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 2.03% | 0.14% | 1.89% |
| TSCOTractor Supply Co. | 2.13% | 0.03% | 2.10% |
74.4% of FTDS is already inside VOO.
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, FTDS or VOO?
FTDS has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTDS or VOO?
Over the past year FTDS returned +20.77% vs +20.08% for VOO, so FTDS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FTDS annualized +9.22% vs +13.48% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTDS or VOO?
FTDS has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: FTDS -42.6% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FTDS and VOO?
FTDS and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 FTDS and VOO?
74.4% of FTDS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 2.2% of VOO's is in holdings FTDS also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTDS and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTDS or VOO?
FTDS yields 1.53% while VOO yields 1.08%, so FTDS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FTDS?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. FTDS led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTDS is less concentrated, with 22.2% 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.