FTXR vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTXR or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXR 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 59.6%.
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 | FTXR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 88 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.21% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.24%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.05% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.38% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.9% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,954 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.6% | 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 22, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (10 years).
FTXR 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.
FTXR vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) 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 FTXR returned +26.24% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, FTXR is up 10.21% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, FTXR compounded at +16.05% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.38% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.15% annualized vs +8.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% 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 -53.4% for FTXR 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXR 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, FTXR currently yields 1.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
36.1% of FTXR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings FTXR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FTXR 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.
17 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 88 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 551 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FTXR (95.8% of the fund), and 25 for FTXR that do not appear in VYM (54.9%).
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 FTXR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FFord Motor Co. | 7.56% | 0.23% | 7.33% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 6.45% | 0.33% | 6.12% |
| PCARPaccar Inc. | 3.76% | 0.26% | 3.50% |
| FDXFedex Corp. | 3.23% | 0.28% | 2.95% |
| RRyder System Inc | 3.43% | 0.04% | 3.39% |
| BWABorgwarner Inc. | 2.23% | 0.06% | 2.17% |
| LUVSouthwest Airlines Co. | 1.67% | 0.10% | 1.57% |
| GPCGenuine Parts Co. | 1.18% | 0.07% | 1.11% |
| LEALear Corp. | 1.20% | 0.03% | 1.17% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.95% | 0.03% | 0.92% |
36.1% of FTXR 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, FTXR or VYM?
FTXR 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, FTXR or VYM?
Over the past year FTXR returned +26.24% vs +17.82% for VYM, so FTXR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXR annualized +8.76% vs +10.15% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXR or VYM?
FTXR has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FTXR -53.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FTXR and VYM?
FTXR 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 FTXR and VYM?
36.1% of FTXR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's is in holdings FTXR also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXR or VYM?
FTXR yields 1.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTXR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FTXR 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 59.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.