MMSC vs VYM
First Trust Multi-Manager Small Cap Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MMSC or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MMSC led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. MMSC is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 420 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.21% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.82% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.71%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.65% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.4% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.8% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,163 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 14, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.9 years).
MMSC 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
MMSC vs VYM Performance
First Trust Multi-Manager Small Cap Opportunities ETF (MMSC) 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 MMSC returned +14.82% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, MMSC is up 10.21% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, MMSC compounded at +19.71% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.65% and +12.30% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MMSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.4% compared with 13.8% 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 -40.8% for MMSC and -15.8% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MMSC charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MMSC currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
8.1% of MMSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings MMSC also owns.
MMSC and VYM share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 200 positions we hold weights for in MMSC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 420 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 512 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MMSC (96.7% of the fund), and 171 for MMSC that do not appear in VYM (85.2%).
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 MMSC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 1.36% | 0.03% | 1.33% |
| VIRTVirtu Financial Inc Class A | 0.78% | 0.02% | 0.76% |
| HRIHerc Holdings Inc Com | 0.74% | 0.02% | 0.72% |
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.61% | 0.02% | 0.59% |
| RHIRobert Half International Inc. | 0.55% | 0.02% | 0.53% |
| VNOMViper Energy Inc Cl A | 0.51% | 0.03% | 0.48% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 0.43% | 0.03% | 0.40% |
| MMSMaximus | 0.42% | 0.01% | 0.41% |
| RYANRyan Specialty Group Holdings Inc | 0.40% | 0.02% | 0.38% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MMSC 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, MMSC or VYM?
MMSC has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MMSC or VYM?
Over the past year MMSC returned +14.82% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MMSC or VYM?
MMSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.4% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MMSC -40.8% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both MMSC and VYM?
MMSC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 MMSC and VYM?
8.1% of MMSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's is in holdings MMSC also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 200 positions we hold weights for in MMSC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MMSC or VYM?
MMSC yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MMSC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MMSC led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. MMSC is less concentrated, with 14.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.