MMSC vs VOO
First Trust Multi-Manager Small Cap Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MMSC or VOO?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MMSC led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MMSC is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | MMSC | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 420 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.88% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.66%Best | +17.03% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.74% | +21.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.78% | +13.08%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.8% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,244 | $18,490Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.0%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2021 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 14, 2021 to Sep 17, 2026 (4.9 years).
MMSC 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
MMSC vs VOO Performance
First Trust Multi-Manager Small Cap Opportunities ETF (MMSC) 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 MMSC returned +18.66% while VOO returned +17.03%. Year to date, MMSC is up 10.88% versus a gain of 12.25% for VOO.
Over three years, MMSC compounded at +19.74% per year against +21.25% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +5.78% and +13.08% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MMSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.6% for VOO. 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 -40.8% for MMSC and -24.5% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MMSC charges 0.95% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $3 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MMSC currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
0.7% of MMSC's money is in holdings VOO also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 200 positions we hold weights for in MMSC and 494 in VOO, against full books of 420 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 485 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for MMSC (99.1% of the fund), and 185 for MMSC that do not appear in VOO (92.7%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MMSC and VOO 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, MMSC or VOO?
MMSC has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MMSC or VOO?
Over the past year MMSC returned +18.66% vs +17.03% for VOO, so MMSC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MMSC or VOO?
MMSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.6% for VOO. Worst drawdown: MMSC -40.8% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both MMSC and VOO?
MMSC and VOO 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, MMSC or VOO?
MMSC yields 0.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MMSC?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MMSC led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MMSC is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.