FYC vs VYM
First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FYC or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FYC led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. FYC is less concentrated, with 7.5% 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 | FYC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.17% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 530 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.34%Best | +15.29% |
| 1Y Return | +38.74%Best | +22.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.26%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.55% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,512 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.5%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2011 to Sep 3, 2026 (15.4 years).
FYC 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FYC vs VYM Performance
First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) 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 FYC returned +38.74% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, FYC is up 23.34% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, FYC compounded at +26.26% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.55% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FYC has the edge at +12.32% annualized vs +9.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FYC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 13.0% 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 -48.1% for FYC 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FYC charges 0.70% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $4 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FYC currently yields 0.17% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
7.0% of FYC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings FYC also owns.
FYC and VYM share little of their money.
20 positions in common, counted across the 262 positions we hold weights for in FYC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 530 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 551 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FYC (97.2% of the fund), and 237 for FYC that do not appear in VYM (90.9%).
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 FYC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 0.69% | 0.02% | 0.67% |
| KALUKaiser Aluminum Corp | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| WLYJohn Wiley & Sons Inc | 0.58% | 0.01% | 0.57% |
| PIIPolaris Inc | 0.55% | 0.01% | 0.54% |
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.40% | 0.02% | 0.38% |
| YOUClear Secure Inc -Class A | 0.39% | 0.02% | 0.37% |
| AEOAmerican Eagle Outfitters Inc | 0.39% | 0.01% | 0.38% |
| NMRKNewmark Group Inc | 0.39% | 0.01% | 0.38% |
| HMNHorace Mann Educators Corp | 0.38% | 0.01% | 0.37% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 0.29% | 0.01% | 0.28% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FYC 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, FYC or VYM?
FYC has an expense ratio of 0.70% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FYC or VYM?
Over the past year FYC returned +38.74% vs +22.23% for VYM, so FYC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FYC annualized +12.32% vs +9.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FYC or VYM?
FYC has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FYC -48.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FYC and VYM?
FYC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 FYC and VYM?
7.0% of FYC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings FYC also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 262 positions we hold weights for in FYC and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FYC or VYM?
FYC yields 0.17% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FYC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FYC led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. FYC is less concentrated, with 7.5% 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.