FYX vs VYM
First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FYX or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FYX led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. FYX is less concentrated, with 4.8% 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 | FYX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,052 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.37%Best | +13.75% |
| 1Y Return | +31.41%Best | +19.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.41%Best | +18.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.11% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,186 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.8%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | 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 9, 2026 (19.3 years).
FYX 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.
FYX vs VYM Performance
First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) 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 FYX returned +31.41% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, FYX is up 23.37% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, FYX compounded at +20.41% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.11% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FYX has the edge at +8.66% annualized vs +6.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FYX 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 -62.1% for FYX 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FYX charges 0.58% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $4 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FYX currently yields 0.90% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.5% of FYX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.3% of VYM's money is in holdings FYX also owns.
FYX and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, FYX as of Sep 1, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
120 positions in common, counted across the 508 positions we hold weights for in FYX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,052 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 456 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FYX (96.0% of the fund), and 378 for FYX that do not appear in VYM (72.1%).
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 FYX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| KFYKorn Ferry International | 0.41% | 0.01% | 0.40% |
| HOGHarley-Davidson Inc. | 0.36% | 0.01% | 0.35% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.33% |
| FDP:LNDel Monte Corporation Common Stock | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.36% |
| PTENPatterson-Uti Energy Inc | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.34% |
| STRAStrategic Education Inc | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.34% |
| MLKNHerman Miller Inc | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.34% |
| SPBSpectrum Brands Holdings Inc | 0.32% | 0.01% | 0.31% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.31% | 0.01% | 0.30% |
22.5% of FYX 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, FYX or VYM?
FYX has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FYX or VYM?
Over the past year FYX returned +31.41% vs +19.42% for VYM, so FYX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FYX annualized +8.66% vs +6.73% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FYX or VYM?
FYX has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FYX -62.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both FYX and VYM?
FYX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 FYX and VYM?
22.5% of FYX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.3% of VYM's is in holdings FYX also owns. They hold 120 positions in common, counted across the 508 positions we hold weights for in FYX and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FYX or VYM?
FYX yields 0.90% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FYX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FYX led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. FYX is less concentrated, with 4.8% 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.