FTKI vs VYM
First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTKI or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTKI led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. FTKI is less concentrated, with 20.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | FTKI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.26% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 300 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.97% | +10.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.83%Best | +14.89% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.9% | 10.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.2% | -13.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $11,586 | $12,433Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 27, 2025 to Sep 25, 2026 (1.6 years).
FTKI 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
FTKI vs VYM Performance
First Trust Small Cap BuyWrite Income ETF (FTKI) 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 FTKI returned +15.83% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, FTKI is up 9.97% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTKI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.9% compared with 10.6% 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 -15.2% for FTKI and -13.8% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTKI charges 0.86% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $4 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTKI currently yields 12.26% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
18.9% of FTKI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's money is in holdings FTKI also owns.
FTKI and VYM share little of their money.
23 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in FTKI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 300 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 507 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTKI (96.5% of the fund), and 98 for FTKI that do not appear in VYM (66.0%).
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 FTKI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| STNG:MHScorpio Tankers Inc. Common Stock | 1.64% | 0.01% | 1.63% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 1.60% | 0.03% | 1.57% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 1.52% | 0.11% | 1.41% |
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 1.56% | 0.05% | 1.51% |
| WFRDWeatherford International Plc | 1.51% | 0.03% | 1.48% |
| YOUClear Secure Inc -Class A | 1.23% | 0.02% | 1.21% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 1.05% | 0.06% | 0.99% |
| AMKRAmkor Technology, Inc. | 1.06% | 0.03% | 1.03% |
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp. | 0.93% | 0.04% | 0.89% |
| MCMoelis & Co_None_0 | 0.88% | 0.02% | 0.86% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTKI 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, FTKI or VYM?
FTKI has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTKI or VYM?
Over the past year FTKI returned +15.83% vs +14.89% for VYM, so FTKI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTKI annualized +9.64% vs +14.58% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTKI or VYM?
FTKI has been the more volatile fund at 10.9% annualized versus 10.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTKI -15.2% vs VYM -13.8%.
Should I hold both FTKI and VYM?
FTKI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 FTKI and VYM?
18.9% of FTKI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's is in holdings FTKI also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in FTKI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTKI or VYM?
FTKI yields 12.26% while VYM yields 2.22%, so FTKI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTKI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTKI led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. FTKI is less concentrated, with 20.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.