VOT vs. FAD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) and FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds - VOT tracks the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index while FAD tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOT returned 12.21%/yr vs 14.57%/yr for FAD. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOT charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FAD.

Performance

VOT vs. FAD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOT achieves a 9.14% return, which is significantly lower than FAD's 17.81% return. Over the past 10 years, VOT has underperformed FAD with an annualized return of 12.21%, while FAD has yielded a comparatively higher 14.57% annualized return.

VOT

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 5.16%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

FAD

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 17.81%
• 6M: 16.71%
• 1Y: 35.19%
• 3Y*: 24.68%
• 5Y*: 11.36%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

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

VOT vs. FAD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	9.14%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.81%	17.23%	23.85%	19.07%	-24.06%	21.17%	34.92%	26.66%	-6.45%	25.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VOT and FAD is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2007	0.87

The correlation between VOT and FAD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOT vs. FAD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOT	FAD
Technology	28.9%	24.1%
Industrials	23.7%	26.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	10.8%
Healthcare	9.3%	15.4%
Financial Services	6.8%	8.0%
Real Estate	4.8%	4.1%
Communication Services	3.8%	3.1%
Utilities	3.5%	1.6%
Energy	2.7%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.8%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.8%	2.4%

Return for Risk

VOT vs. FAD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 22
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 21

FAD

FAD Risk / Return Rank: 61
FAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
FAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
FAD Omega Ratio Rank: 54
FAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FAD Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VOT vs. FAD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) and First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD). 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.

	VOT	FAD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	1.91	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.64	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.33	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	3.31	-2.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.31	12.78	-10.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOT vs. FAD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOT Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the FAD Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOT and FAD, 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

	VOT	FAD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	1.91	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.56	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.69	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.50	-0.05

Drawdowns

VOT vs. FAD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOT drawdown since its inception was -60.16%, which is greater than FAD's maximum drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOT and FAD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOT	FAD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.16%	-54.33%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.96%	-10.66%	-5.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.77%	-23.55%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.19%	-31.99%	-5.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.19%	-37.25%	+0.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	0.00%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-9.64%	-0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.32%	2.76%	+2.56%

Volatility

VOT vs. FAD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) is 4.30%, while First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) has a volatility of 5.82%. This indicates that VOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FAD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOT	FAD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	5.82%	-1.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	14.15%	-1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.79%	18.49%	-2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.35%	20.53%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.98%	21.18%	-0.20%

VOT vs. FAD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOT has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than FAD's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOT vs. FAD - Dividend Comparison

VOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, more than FAD's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.09%	0.09%	0.59%	0.51%	0.60%	0.09%	0.32%	0.48%	0.20%	0.22%	0.64%	0.41%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOT and FAD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VOT and FAD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VOT or FAD?

FAD has higher volatility (5.82%) compared to VOT (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOT dropped -60.16% vs FAD's -54.33%.

Which ETF is better, VOT or FAD?

On 10-year performance, FAD leads with 14.57% vs 12.21% for VOT. On fees, VOT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOT or FAD?

Over the 10-year period, FAD has performed better with a 14.57% return vs 12.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOT or FAD?

VOT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FAD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOT or FAD?

VOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.09% for FAD.

What is the main difference between VOT and FAD?

VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while FAD tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VOT and 0.63% for FAD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 0.78), 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.