FTXL vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTXL or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.2%.
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 | FTXL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 70 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +68.52%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +122.32%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +49.32%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +27.53%Best | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.2% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $33,734Best | $17,750 |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (10 years).
FTXL 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 10 years both funds cover.
FTXL vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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 FTXL returned +122.32% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, FTXL is up 68.52% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +49.32% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +27.53% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +27.97% annualized vs +10.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.2% compared with 14.3% 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 -43.9% for FTXL 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXL charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTXL currently yields 0.11% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.9% of FTXL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.6% of VYM's money is in holdings FTXL also owns.
FTXL and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXL 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.
9 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 70 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 559 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTXL (86.8% of the fund), and 25 for FTXL that do not appear in VYM (70.0%).
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 FTXL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.46% | 7.29% | 0.83% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 6.67% | 0.81% | 5.86% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 3.43% | 1.13% | 2.30% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 2.84% | 0.80% | 2.04% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors N.V. Common Stock | 2.76% | 0.29% | 2.47% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 2.81% | 0.04% | 2.77% |
| AMKRAmkor Technology, Inc. | 2.36% | 0.04% | 2.32% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 1.59% | 0.20% | 1.39% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 1.03% | 0.03% | 1.00% |
29.9% of FTXL is already inside VYM.
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, FTXL or VYM?
FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTXL or VYM?
Over the past year FTXL returned +122.32% vs +17.82% for VYM, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +27.97% vs +10.20% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or VYM?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.2% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FTXL and VYM?
FTXL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 FTXL and VYM?
29.9% of FTXL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.6% of VYM's is in holdings FTXL also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXL or VYM?
FTXL yields 0.11% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTXL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.