FXH vs VYM
First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FXH or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FXH led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. FXH is less concentrated, with 24.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | FXH | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 148 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.36%Best | +14.33% |
| 1Y Return | +20.31%Best | +20.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.25% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.88% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,448 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.8%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.3 years).
FXH 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FXH vs VYM Performance
First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH) 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 FXH returned +20.31% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, FXH is up 14.36% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, FXH compounded at +9.25% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.88% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FXH has the edge at +10.31% annualized vs +6.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.7% 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 -43.7% for FXH and -58.8% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXH charges 0.61% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $61 vs $4 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXH currently yields 0.81% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
20.5% of FXH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.3% of VYM's money is in holdings FXH also owns.
FXH and VYM share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in FXH and 602 in VYM, against full books of 148 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 554 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FXH (87.3% of the fund), and 55 for FXH that do not appear in VYM (76.7%).
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 FXH | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 2.40% | 0.57% | 1.83% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.42% | 2.54% | 2.12% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.82% | 1.85% | 1.03% |
| CICigna Corp. | 2.20% | 0.30% | 1.90% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.84% | 0.42% | 1.42% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 1.40% | 0.65% | 0.75% |
| ELV:BRElevance Health, Inc. | 1.69% | 0.34% | 1.35% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 1.49% | 0.49% | 1.00% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.42% | 1.32% | 0.90% |
| BDXBecton, Dickinson And Company | 1.52% | 0.18% | 1.34% |
20.5% of FXH 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, FXH or VYM?
FXH has an expense ratio of 0.61% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXH or VYM?
Over the past year FXH returned +20.31% vs +20.01% for VYM, so FXH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXH annualized +10.31% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXH or VYM?
FXH has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FXH -43.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FXH and VYM?
FXH and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 FXH and VYM?
20.5% of FXH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.3% of VYM's is in holdings FXH also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in FXH and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXH or VYM?
FXH yields 0.81% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FXH?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FXH led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. FXH is less concentrated, with 24.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.