FGD vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FGD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 9.93%/yr vs 10.60%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

FGD vs. VYMI - 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 International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FGD having a 12.52% return and VYMI slightly lower at 12.44%. Over the past 10 years, FGD has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 9.93%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.60% annualized return.

FGD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: 12.52%
• 6M: 13.94%
• 1Y: 34.97%
• 3Y*: 22.97%
• 5Y*: 10.76%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

VYMI

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 1.78%
• YTD: 12.44%
• 6M: 16.33%
• 1Y: 30.94%
• 3Y*: 22.29%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 10.60%

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

FGD vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	12.52%	44.42%	5.71%	8.20%	-7.25%	20.83%	-5.23%	20.64%	-12.49%	17.87%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	12.44%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between FGD and VYMI is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.92

The correlation between FGD and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

FGD vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FGD	VYMI
Financial Services	33.6%	41.9%
Industrials	14.3%	6.6%
Energy	10.0%	9.5%
Communication Services	9.3%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	7.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	6.5%
Basic Materials	6.4%	6.8%
Utilities	4.9%	5.6%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.3%
Technology	1.2%	4.3%
Healthcare	-	6.6%

Return for Risk

FGD vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGD

FGD Risk / Return Rank: 79
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 69
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. VYMI - 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 International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	FGD	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.81	2.41	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	3.28	+0.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.44	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.68	3.17	+0.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.02	12.51	+0.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FGD vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGD Sharpe Ratio is 2.81, which is comparable to the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGD and VYMI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FGD	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.81	2.41	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.84	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.63	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.66	-0.40

Drawdowns

FGD vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGD	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.05%	-40.00%	-28.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	-10.14%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.50%	-12.84%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.68%	-24.05%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.84%	-40.00%	-4.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.40%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.57%	-6.31%	-6.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.57%	+0.21%

Volatility

FGD vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is 3.22%, while Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) has a volatility of 4.12%. This indicates that FGD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGD	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.22%	4.12%	-0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.64%	10.67%	-1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.51%	12.92%	-0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.91%	14.83%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	16.87%	+1.36%

FGD vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.03%, more than VYMI's 3.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.03%	5.62%	5.87%	6.44%	5.74%	5.35%	6.17%	5.19%	5.88%	4.01%	4.36%	5.07%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.41%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGD and VYMI in my portfolio?

FGD and VYMI have a correlation of 0.88, 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 VYMI?

VYMI has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to FGD (3.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, FGD or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VYMI leads with 10.60% vs 9.93% for FGD. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 3.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FGD or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 10.60% return vs 9.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FGD or VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for FGD.

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

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.03%, compared with 3.41% for VYMI.

What is the main difference between FGD and VYMI?

FGD is categorized as Global Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.41), 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.