FXU vs VOO
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FXU or VOO?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.0%.
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 | FXU | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $798M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.19% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 82 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +4.50% | +13.81%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.79% | +21.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.50% | +21.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.64% | +12.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,579 | $18,319Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.0% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 3, 2026 (16 years).
FXU vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
FXU vs VOO Performance
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FXU returned +9.79% while VOO returned +21.53%. Year to date, FXU is up 4.50% versus a gain of 13.81% for VOO.
Over three years, FXU compounded at +19.50% per year against +21.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +10.64% and +12.87% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.51% annualized vs +7.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.5% for FXU. 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 -34.8% for FXU and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXU charges 0.61% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $61 vs $3 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXU currently yields 2.19% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
72.9% of FXU's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.8% of VOO's money is in holdings FXU also owns.
Most of FXU is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
29 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FXU and 505 in VOO, against full books of 82 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 468 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for FXU (97.7% of the fund), and 9 for FXU that do not appear in VOO (25.1%).
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 FXU | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCGPg&E Corp. | 4.38% | 0.06% | 4.32% |
| ESEversource Energ | 4.30% | 0.04% | 4.26% |
| AESAes Corporation | 4.30% | 0.02% | 4.28% |
| EXCExelon | 4.21% | 0.07% | 4.14% |
| EDConsolidated Edison Inc | 4.20% | 0.06% | 4.14% |
| EIXEdison Intl | 3.93% | 0.04% | 3.89% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 3.34% | 0.15% | 3.19% |
| PPLPpl Corp (Utilities) | 3.30% | 0.04% | 3.26% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 3.30% | 0.03% | 3.27% |
| PNWPinnacle West Capital Corp. | 3.25% | 0.02% | 3.23% |
72.9% of FXU is already inside VOO.
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, FXU or VOO?
FXU has an expense ratio of 0.61% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXU or VOO?
Over the past year FXU returned +9.79% vs +21.53% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), FXU annualized +7.90% vs +13.51% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXU or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.5% for FXU. Worst drawdown: FXU -34.8% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both FXU and VOO?
FXU and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 FXU and VOO?
72.9% of FXU's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.8% of VOO's is in holdings FXU also owns. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FXU and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXU or VOO?
FXU yields 2.19% while VOO yields 1.08%, so FXU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than FXU?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.