ABND vs VYM
American Century Core Plus Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ABND or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | ABND | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $263M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.49% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 419 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -2.40% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.36% | +13.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.91% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.29% | +11.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,662 | $17,334Best |
| Fund Family | American Century Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 29, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2021 to Oct 2, 2026 (5.3 years).
ABND 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
ABND vs VYM Performance
American Century Core Plus Income ETF (ABND) is an ETF from American Century Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ABND returned -1.36% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, ABND is down 2.40% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Over three years, ABND compounded at +5.91% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.29% and +11.63% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 5.5% for ABND. 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 -13.9% for ABND and -15.8% 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ABND charges 0.32% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $4 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ABND currently yields 5.49% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings ABND also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ABND, our book for it covers 40.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ABND as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in ABND and 557 in VYM, against full books of 419 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ABND | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc V/R /Perp | 0.44% | 0.89% | 0.45% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ABND and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ABND or VYM?
ABND has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ABND or VYM?
Over the past year ABND returned -1.36% vs +13.75% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ABND or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 5.5% for ABND. Worst drawdown: ABND -13.9% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both ABND and VYM?
ABND and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ABND or VYM?
ABND yields 5.49% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ABND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ABND?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.