FAN vs. VOO
FAN (First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAN returned 9.88%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VOO. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAN charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.
Performance
FAN vs. VOO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAN achieves a 20.47% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 8.19% return. Over the past 10 years, FAN has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 9.88%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.
FAN
- 1D
- -2.65%
- 1M
- -5.81%
- YTD
- 20.47%
- 6M
- 20.15%
- 1Y
- 38.86%
- 3Y*
- 14.67%
- 5Y*
- 4.21%
- 10Y*
- 9.88%
VOO
- 1D
- -1.42%
- 1M
- -1.34%
- YTD
- 8.19%
- 6M
- 7.24%
- 1Y
- 23.69%
- 3Y*
- 20.78%
- 5Y*
- 13.13%
- 10Y*
- 15.61%
FAN vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF | 20.47% | 40.38% | -8.96% | -3.20% | -13.12% | -11.63% | 61.16% | 31.22% | -11.40% | 16.30% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 8.19% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAN and VOO is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | 0.65 |
The correlation between FAN and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.
FAN vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
FAN
VOO
Utilities
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Energy
Basic Materials
Communication Services
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Financial Services
-
Healthcare
-
Real Estate
-
Technology
-
Utilities
FAN
VOO
Industrials
FAN
VOO
Consumer Cyclical
FAN
VOO
Energy
FAN
VOO
Basic Materials
FAN
VOO
Communication Services
FAN
-
VOO
Consumer Defensive
FAN
-
VOO
Financial Services
FAN
-
VOO
Healthcare
FAN
-
VOO
Real Estate
FAN
-
VOO
Technology
FAN
-
VOO
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FAN vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
FAN
VOO
FAN vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| FAN | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.35 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.51 | 2.67 | +0.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.64 | 11.96 | -0.32 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FAN vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAN drawdown since its inception was -79.94%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAN and VOO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FAN | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -79.94% | -33.99% | -45.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.13% | -8.90% | -2.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -18.69% | -5.77% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.45% | -24.52% | -13.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.29% | -33.99% | -12.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.44% | -3.14% | -6.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -45.08% | -3.68% | -41.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.35% | 1.99% | +1.36% |
Volatility
FAN vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 4.83%. This indicates that FAN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FAN | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.87% | 4.83% | +2.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.93% | 9.82% | +6.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.41% | 12.46% | +7.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.42% | 16.91% | +4.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.96% | 18.02% | +2.94% |
FAN vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAN has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAN vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison
FAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than VOO's 1.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAN First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF | 1.03% | 1.35% | 1.52% | 1.71% | 1.50% | 1.79% | 0.84% | 2.42% | 2.67% | 2.59% | 6.04% | 2.35% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAN and VOO have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAN has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to VOO (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAN dropped -79.94% vs VOO's -33.99%.
On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.61% vs 9.88% for FAN. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.61% return vs 9.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FAN.
VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 1.03% for FAN.
FAN is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. FAN tracks ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FAN and 0.03% for VOO.
FAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.91), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
Find the right allocation for FAN and VOO
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer