BME vs FFLC
BlackRock Health Sciences Trust vs Fidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF
Which is better, BME or FFLC?
Each has led over a different period.
FFLC has a lower expense ratio. BME led over 1Y, FFLC over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FFLC is less concentrated, with 41.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.5%.
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 | BME | FFLC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.14% | 0.38%Best |
| AUM | $591M | $1.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.87% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 156 | 216 |
| YTD Return | +13.85%Best | +9.90% |
| 1Y Return | +26.79%Best | +14.13% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.27% | +22.06%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.83% | +15.97%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.3%Best | -19.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,275 | $20,976Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.5% | 41.9%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Fidelity Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2005 | Jun 2, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.4 years).
BME vs FFLC 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
BME vs FFLC Performance
BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Fidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF (FFLC) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US). Over the past year BME returned +26.79% while FFLC returned +14.13%. Year to date, BME is up 13.85% versus a gain of 9.90% for FFLC.
Over three years, BME compounded at +12.27% per year against +22.06% for FFLC; over five years the annualized figures are +5.83% and +15.97% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FFLC has the edge at +19.16% annualized vs +6.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FFLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 14.3% for BME. 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 -18.3% for BME and -19.7% for FFLC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BME charges 1.14% per year while FFLC charges 0.38%. On a $10,000 position that is $114 vs $38 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BME currently yields 6.87% against 1.01% for FFLC.
Holdings Overlap
39.6% of BME's money is in holdings FFLC also owns. 7.0% of FFLC's money is in holdings BME also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 77 days apart, BME as of Jun 30, 2026 and FFLC as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
11 positions in common, counted across the 133 positions we hold weights for in BME and 108 in FFLC, against full books of 156 and 216.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 86 positions for FFLC that do not appear in our book for BME (84.9% of the fund), and 104 for BME that do not appear in FFLC (50.5%).
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 BME | Weight in FFLC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 12.46% | 1.65% | 10.81% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 7.80% | 0.25% | 7.55% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 6.12% | 1.18% | 4.94% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 5.23% | 0.67% | 4.56% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 2.97% | 0.85% | 2.12% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 1.92% | 0.60% | 1.32% |
| BSXBoston Scientific Corp. | 1.30% | 0.37% | 0.93% |
| BIIBBiogen Inc. Com | 1.20% | 0.25% | 0.95% |
| BRKRBruker Corp. | 0.38% | 0.35% | 0.03% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.00% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
39.6% of BME is already inside FFLC.
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, BME or FFLC?
BME has an expense ratio of 1.14% while FFLC charges 0.38%. FFLC is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BME or FFLC?
Over the past year BME returned +26.79% vs +14.13% for FFLC, so BME leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BME annualized +6.60% vs +19.16% for FFLC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BME or FFLC?
FFLC has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.3% for BME. Worst drawdown: BME -18.3% vs FFLC -19.7%.
Should I hold both BME and FFLC?
BME and FFLC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 BME and FFLC?
39.6% of BME's money is in holdings FFLC also owns. 7.0% of FFLC's is in holdings BME also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 133 positions we hold weights for in BME and 108 in FFLC.
Which pays a higher dividend, BME or FFLC?
BME yields 6.87% while FFLC yields 1.01%, so BME currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FFLC better than BME?
FFLC has a lower expense ratio. BME led over 1Y, FFLC over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FFLC is less concentrated, with 41.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.