ACLC vs VYM
American Century Large Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ACLC or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.7%.
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 | ACLC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $323M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.53% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 101 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.38% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.17% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.74% | +17.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.14% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.4% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,485 | $17,514Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | American Century Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2020 to Sep 16, 2026 (6.2 years).
ACLC 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 6.2 years both funds cover.
ACLC vs VYM Performance
American Century Large Cap Equity ETF (ACLC) is an ETF from American Century Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACLC returned +10.17% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, ACLC is up 7.38% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, ACLC compounded at +15.74% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.14% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +14.50% annualized vs +13.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 13.9% 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 -26.4% for ACLC 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACLC charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACLC currently yields 0.53% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
32.9% of ACLC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 36.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ACLC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
40 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in ACLC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 101 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 488 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ACLC (60.7% of the fund), and 58 for ACLC that do not appear in VYM (65.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACLC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.27% | 7.35% | 4.08% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.54% | 3.82% | 2.28% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.45% | 1.66% | 0.21% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.02% | 1.80% | 0.78% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.20% | 1.34% | 0.14% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.59% | 0.74% | 0.85% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 1.52% | 0.73% | 0.79% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.36% | 1.86% | 1.50% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 1.34% | 0.85% | 0.49% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.63% | 1.52% | 0.89% |
36.3% of VYM is already inside ACLC.
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, ACLC or VYM?
ACLC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACLC or VYM?
Over the past year ACLC returned +10.17% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), ACLC annualized +13.51% vs +14.50% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACLC or VYM?
ACLC has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ACLC -26.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both ACLC and VYM?
ACLC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 ACLC and VYM?
36.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ACLC also owns. 36.3% of VYM's is in holdings ACLC also owns. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in ACLC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACLC or VYM?
ACLC yields 0.53% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ACLC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.