FTXO vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTXO or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXO led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.0%.
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 | FTXO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $293M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.75% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.47% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.03%Best | +19.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.50%Best | +18.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.71% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.0% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,183 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.0% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 7, 2016 to Sep 9, 2026 (9.9 years).
FTXO 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
FTXO vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) 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 FTXO returned +20.03% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, FTXO is up 10.47% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, FTXO compounded at +28.50% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.71% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.37% annualized vs +8.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.0% 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 -57.8% for FTXO 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXO 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, FTXO currently yields 1.75% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
92.6% of FTXO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.6% of VYM's money is in holdings FTXO also owns.
Most of FTXO is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXO 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.
42 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FTXO and 603 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTXO (87.9% of the fund), and 6 for FTXO that do not appear in VYM (6.0%).
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 FTXO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 8.49% | 3.38% | 5.11% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 8.90% | 1.56% | 7.34% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 8.55% | 0.94% | 7.61% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 7.59% | 1.05% | 6.54% |
| TFCTruist Financial Corp. | 7.20% | 0.26% | 6.94% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 4.04% | 0.41% | 3.63% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 4.03% | 0.39% | 3.64% |
| CFGCitizens Financial Group Inc. | 3.94% | 0.12% | 3.82% |
| MTBM&t Bank Corp. | 3.86% | 0.15% | 3.71% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 3.08% | 0.21% | 2.87% |
92.6% of FTXO 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, FTXO or VYM?
FTXO 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, FTXO or VYM?
Over the past year FTXO returned +20.03% vs +19.42% for VYM, so FTXO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXO annualized +8.91% vs +10.37% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXO or VYM?
FTXO has been the more volatile fund at 27.0% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTXO -57.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FTXO and VYM?
FTXO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 FTXO and VYM?
92.6% of FTXO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.6% of VYM's is in holdings FTXO also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FTXO and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXO or VYM?
FTXO yields 1.75% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTXO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXO led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.