FLAX vs VYM
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FLAX or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FLAX led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%.
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 | FLAX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 1,623 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +16.06%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +24.84%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.58%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.03% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,714 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.0% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 6, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.7 years).
FLAX 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
FLAX vs VYM Performance
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FLAX returned +24.84% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, FLAX is up 16.06% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, FLAX compounded at +22.58% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.03% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.06% annualized vs +6.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FLAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 15.1% 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 -42.5% for FLAX 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAX charges 0.19% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $4 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAX currently yields 2.02% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of FLAX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings FLAX 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 1,597 positions we hold weights for in FLAX and 602 in VYM, against full books of 1,623 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 572 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FLAX (97.7% of the fund), and 5 for FLAX that do not appear in VYM (0.7%).
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 FLAX 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, FLAX or VYM?
FLAX has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLAX or VYM?
Over the past year FLAX returned +24.84% vs +15.96% for VYM, so FLAX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLAX annualized +6.65% vs +10.06% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLAX or VYM?
FLAX has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FLAX -42.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both FLAX and VYM?
FLAX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, FLAX or VYM?
FLAX yields 2.02% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FLAX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FLAX led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.