FTHF vs VYM
First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTHF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTHF led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.7%.
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 | FTHF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $127M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.28% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 105 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +48.96%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +92.79%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.7% | 10.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.1% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $27,069Best | $17,487 |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 30, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.8 years).
FTHF 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
FTHF vs VYM Performance
First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) 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 FTHF returned +92.79% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FTHF is up 48.96% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTHF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.7% compared with 10.4% 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 -21.1% for FTHF and -14.5% 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTHF charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTHF currently yields 3.28% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of FTHF's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in FTHF and 603 in VYM, against full books of 105 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 570 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTHF (97.4% of the fund), and 3 for FTHF that do not appear in VYM (11.5%).
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 FTHF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 196170:KRAlteogen Inc | 0.08% | 0.02% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTHF 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, FTHF or VYM?
FTHF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTHF or VYM?
Over the past year FTHF returned +92.79% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FTHF leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTHF or VYM?
FTHF has been the more volatile fund at 22.7% annualized versus 10.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTHF -21.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both FTHF and VYM?
FTHF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTHF or VYM?
FTHF yields 3.28% while VYM yields 2.24%, so FTHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTHF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTHF led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.