ACWV vs VYM
iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ACWV 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. ACWV is less concentrated, with 11.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | ACWV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.86% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 437 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.44% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.04% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.11% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.67% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,175 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.9%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (14.9 years).
ACWV 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 14.9 years both funds cover.
ACWV vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACWV returned +6.04% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, ACWV is up 5.44% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, ACWV compounded at +11.11% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.67% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.33% annualized vs +8.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 10.0% for ACWV. 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 -28.8% for ACWV and -35.7% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWV charges 0.20% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $4 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWV currently yields 1.86% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.8% of ACWV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 45.4% of VYM's money is in holdings ACWV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
77 positions in common, counted across the 376 positions we hold weights for in ACWV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 437 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 451 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ACWV (51.7% of the fund), and 78 for ACWV that do not appear in VYM (27.9%).
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 ACWV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.31% | 7.35% | 7.04% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.44% | 2.51% | 1.07% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.94% | 2.63% | 1.69% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.37% | 1.86% | 0.49% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.47% | 1.80% | 1.33% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.81% | 1.38% | 0.57% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.77% | 1.37% | 0.60% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.59% | 1.31% | 0.72% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.40% | 1.48% | 1.08% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.14% | 1.52% | 1.38% |
45.4% of VYM is already inside ACWV.
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, ACWV or VYM?
ACWV has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWV or VYM?
Over the past year ACWV returned +6.04% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), ACWV annualized +8.35% vs +10.33% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWV or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 10.0% for ACWV. Worst drawdown: ACWV -28.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ACWV and VYM?
ACWV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 ACWV and VYM?
45.4% of VYM's money is in holdings ACWV also owns. 45.4% of VYM's is in holdings ACWV also owns. They hold 77 positions in common, counted across the 376 positions we hold weights for in ACWV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWV or VYM?
ACWV yields 1.86% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ACWV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ACWV is less concentrated, with 11.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.