AAAA vs VYM
Amplius Aggressive Asset Allocation ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AAAA or VYM?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AAAA led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.4%.
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 | AAAA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $283M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.30% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 47 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.48%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +16.01%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.1% | 9.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -7.8% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,345Best | $12,223 |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Amplius | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.2 years).
AAAA 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
AAAA vs VYM Performance
Amplius Aggressive Asset Allocation ETF (AAAA) is an ETF from Amplius and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AAAA returned +16.01% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, AAAA is up 11.48% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AAAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.1% compared with 9.7% 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 -7.8% for AAAA and -6.7% 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AAAA charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AAAA currently yields 1.30% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
9.1% of AAAA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 22.6% of VYM's money is in holdings AAAA also owns.
VYM and AAAA share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in AAAA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 47 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 46 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 519 positions AAAA does not, 74.4% of the fund.
Largest: ABBV 1.80%, BAC 1.66%, UNH 1.52%, CVX 1.48%, KO 1.38%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AAAA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.00% | 7.35% | 6.35% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.01% | 3.82% | 2.81% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.04% | 2.63% | 1.59% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.01% | 2.51% | 1.50% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.00% | 1.86% | 0.86% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.99% | 1.50% | 0.51% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.00% | 1.34% | 0.34% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.01% | 0.90% | 0.11% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.00% | 0.74% | 0.26% |
22.6% of VYM is already inside AAAA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AAAA or VYM?
AAAA has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AAAA or VYM?
Over the past year AAAA returned +16.01% vs +15.34% for VYM, so AAAA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AAAA annualized +19.19% vs +18.21% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AAAA or VYM?
AAAA has been the more volatile fund at 11.1% annualized versus 9.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AAAA -7.8% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both AAAA and VYM?
AAAA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AAAA and VYM?
22.6% of VYM's money is in holdings AAAA also owns. 22.6% of VYM's is in holdings AAAA also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in AAAA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAAA or VYM?
AAAA yields 1.30% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AAAA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AAAA led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.