FXL vs VYM
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FXL or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. FXL is less concentrated, with 18.0% 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 | FXL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 222 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +26.25%Best | +15.29% |
| 1Y Return | +34.31%Best | +22.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.32%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid 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 3, 2026 (19.3 years).
FXL 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.
FXL vs VYM Performance
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) 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 FXL returned +34.31% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, FXL is up 26.25% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, FXL compounded at +22.32% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FXL has the edge at +13.33% annualized vs +6.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% 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 -61.4% for FXL 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXL 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, FXL currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.7% of FXL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 12.8% of VYM's money is in holdings FXL also owns.
FXL and VYM share little of their money.
20 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 222 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 549 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FXL (84.7% of the fund), and 86 for FXL that do not appear in VYM (80.1%).
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 FXL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.69% | 7.29% | 6.60% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 2.26% | 0.08% | 2.18% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 1.68% | 0.54% | 1.14% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.88% | 1.13% | 0.25% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 1.19% | 0.80% | 0.39% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 0.26% | 1.10% | 0.84% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.53% | 0.81% | 0.28% |
| NTAPNetapp Inc | 1.13% | 0.13% | 1.00% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 1.20% | 0.05% | 1.15% |
| DLBDOLBY LABORATORIES INC-CL A | 1.10% | 0.01% | 1.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXL and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FXL or VYM?
FXL 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, FXL or VYM?
Over the past year FXL returned +34.31% vs +22.23% for VYM, so FXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXL annualized +13.33% vs +6.81% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXL or VYM?
FXL has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FXL -61.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FXL and VYM?
FXL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 FXL and VYM?
16.7% of FXL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 12.8% of VYM's is in holdings FXL also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in FXL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXL or VYM?
FXL yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FXL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FXL led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. FXL is less concentrated, with 18.0% 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.