FXN vs VYM
First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FXN or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FXN 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 43.5%.
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 | FXN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.63% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $396M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.62% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 80 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +42.56%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +47.89%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.72% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +20.85%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.6% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,777Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | 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 4, 2026 (19.3 years).
FXN 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.
FXN vs VYM Performance
First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) 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 FXN returned +47.89% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FXN is up 42.56% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FXN compounded at +12.72% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +20.85% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.79% annualized vs +1.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.8% 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 -88.6% for FXN 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXN charges 0.63% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $63 vs $4 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXN currently yields 1.62% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
86.9% of FXN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.3% of VYM's money is in holdings FXN also owns.
Most of FXN is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
31 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 80 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 539 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FXN (89.1% of the fund), and 7 for FXN that do not appear in VYM (11.1%).
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 FXN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DINOHollyfrontier | 5.42% | 0.04% | 5.38% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.65% | 2.36% | 0.29% |
| APAApa Corp | 4.84% | 0.05% | 4.79% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 4.63% | 0.19% | 4.44% |
| RRCRange Resources Corp | 4.66% | 0.04% | 4.62% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 4.53% | 0.09% | 4.44% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 4.38% | 0.13% | 4.25% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 3.52% | 0.53% | 2.99% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 2.69% | 1.28% | 1.41% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 3.62% | 0.03% | 3.59% |
86.9% of FXN 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, FXN or VYM?
FXN has an expense ratio of 0.63% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXN or VYM?
Over the past year FXN returned +47.89% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXN annualized +1.62% vs +6.79% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXN or VYM?
FXN has been the more volatile fund at 34.8% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FXN -88.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FXN and VYM?
FXN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 FXN and VYM?
86.9% of FXN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.3% of VYM's is in holdings FXN also owns. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in FXN and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXN or VYM?
FXN yields 1.62% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FXN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FXN 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 43.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.