FTXN vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTXN or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%.
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 | FTXN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $164M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.73% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 88 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +45.68%Best | +13.75% |
| 1Y Return | +51.28%Best | +19.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.61% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.94%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.2% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,084Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2016 to Sep 9, 2026 (10 years).
FTXN 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.
FTXN vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) 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 FTXN returned +51.28% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, FTXN is up 45.68% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, FTXN compounded at +13.61% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +22.94% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.27% annualized vs +8.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.2% 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 -74.4% for FTXN 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXN 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, FTXN currently yields 1.73% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
88.7% of FTXN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.3% of VYM's money is in holdings FTXN also owns.
Most of FTXN is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXN 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.
33 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 88 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 537 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTXN (89.3% of the fund), and 9 for FTXN that do not appear in VYM (10.7%).
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 FTXN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 6.93% | 2.36% | 4.57% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 7.24% | 1.28% | 5.96% |
| COPConocophillips Co | 7.66% | 0.53% | 7.13% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp. | 6.18% | 0.31% | 5.87% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 5.37% | 0.15% | 5.22% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 5.19% | 0.29% | 4.90% |
| VLOValero Energy Corp. | 4.63% | 0.32% | 4.31% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.65% | 0.28% | 3.37% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc. | 3.78% | 0.14% | 3.64% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 3.35% | 0.29% | 3.06% |
88.7% of FTXN 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, FTXN or VYM?
FTXN 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, FTXN or VYM?
Over the past year FTXN returned +51.28% vs +19.42% for VYM, so FTXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXN annualized +8.97% vs +10.27% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXN or VYM?
FTXN has been the more volatile fund at 32.2% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTXN -74.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FTXN and VYM?
FTXN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 FTXN and VYM?
88.7% of FTXN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.3% of VYM's is in holdings FTXN also owns. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXN or VYM?
FTXN yields 1.73% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTXN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.