FGD vs. VOO

Last updated Jul 28, 2026

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FGD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 9.91%/yr vs 14.93%/yr for VOO. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

FGD vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGD achieves a 14.71% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 8.98% return. Over the past 10 years, FGD has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 9.91%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 14.93% annualized return.

FGD

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 5.91%
• 6M: 10.37%
• YTD: 14.71%
• 1Y: 25.59%
• 3Y*: 21.76%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 9.91%
• ALL TIME*: 6.12%

VOO

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 7.28%
• YTD: 8.98%
• 1Y: 17.38%
• 3Y*: 18.94%
• 5Y*: 12.57%
• 10Y*: 14.93%
• ALL TIME*: 14.72%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	$6.15M	$6.09M	$6.68M
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	$3.33B	$3.89B	$5.42B

FGD vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	14.71%	44.42%	5.71%	8.20%	-7.25%	20.83%	-5.23%	20.64%	-12.49%	17.87%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.98%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between FGD and VOO is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.74

The correlation between FGD and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (3 years) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FGD vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FGD	VOO
Financial Services	10.5%	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.5%
Industrials	4.8%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	3.8%	9.5%
Communication Services	1.9%	9.9%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.7%
Energy	1.0%	3.0%
Real Estate	1.0%	1.8%
Technology	1.0%	38.6%
Utilities	1.0%	2.2%
Healthcare	-	8.9%

Return for Risk

FGD vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FGD

FGD Risk / Return Rank: 80
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 59
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 69

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FGD vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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.

	FGD	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.38	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	1.94	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.25	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	1.96	+0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.83	8.43	+0.40

FGD vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGD Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGD and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FGD vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGD	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.05%	-33.99%	-34.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-8.90%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.50%	-18.69%	+7.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.68%	-24.52%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.84%	-33.99%	-10.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.43%	+2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.49%	-3.67%	-8.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.94%	2.07%	+0.87%

Volatility

FGD vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is 2.43%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 3.22%. This indicates that FGD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGD	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.43%	3.22%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	9.84%	+0.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	12.64%	+0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.86%	16.91%	-2.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	18.01%	-0.09%

FGD vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.10%, more than VOO's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.10%	5.62%	5.87%	6.44%	5.74%	5.35%	6.17%	5.19%	5.88%	4.01%	4.36%	5.07%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.08%	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

Can I hold both FGD and VOO in my portfolio?

FGD and VOO have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FGD or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (3.22%) compared to FGD (2.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, FGD or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 14.93% vs 9.91% for FGD. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 2.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FGD or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 14.93% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FGD or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for FGD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FGD or VOO?

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.10%, compared with 1.08% for VOO.

What is the main difference between FGD and VOO?

FGD is categorized as Global Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.38), 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.