FTRI vs VYM
First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTRI or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTRI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.8%.
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 | FTRI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $131M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.09% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 122 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +16.95%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +25.68%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.85% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.86% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.1% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -84.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,745 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 11, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 12, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16.5 years).
FTRI 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 16.5 years both funds cover.
FTRI vs VYM Performance
First Trust Indxx Global Natural Resources Income ETF (FTRI) 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 FTRI returned +25.68% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FTRI is up 16.95% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FTRI compounded at +15.85% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.86% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.17% annualized vs -1.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTRI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.1% compared with 13.1% 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 -84.4% for FTRI and -35.7% 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTRI charges 0.70% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $4 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTRI currently yields 2.09% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
13.6% of FTRI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's money is in holdings FTRI also owns.
FTRI and VYM share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FTRI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 122 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 559 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTRI (97.0% of the fund), and 6 for FTRI that do not appear in VYM (14.6%).
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 FTRI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 3.86% | 0.11% | 3.75% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 2.63% | 0.07% | 2.56% |
| WTRGEssential Utilities Inc - Common | 1.65% | 0.05% | 1.60% |
| AESAes Corporation | 1.54% | 0.04% | 1.50% |
| MOSMosaic Co. | 1.10% | 0.03% | 1.07% |
| BKHBlack Hills Corp | 0.80% | 0.02% | 0.78% |
| UFPIUniversal Forest Products Inc | 0.76% | 0.02% | 0.74% |
| CWTCalifornia Water Service Group | 0.44% | 0.01% | 0.43% |
| SJWSjw Corp | 0.36% | 0.01% | 0.35% |
| NOGNorthern Oil And Gas Inc | 0.30% | 0.01% | 0.29% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTRI 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, FTRI or VYM?
FTRI has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTRI or VYM?
Over the past year FTRI returned +25.68% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FTRI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), FTRI annualized -1.33% vs +10.17% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTRI or VYM?
FTRI has been the more volatile fund at 27.1% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTRI -84.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FTRI and VYM?
FTRI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 FTRI and VYM?
13.6% of FTRI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's is in holdings FTRI also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in FTRI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTRI or VYM?
FTRI yields 2.09% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTRI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTRI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.