AESB vs VYM
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AESB or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AESB is less concentrated, with 22.8% 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 | AESB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | - | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 164 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -2.10% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
AESB 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AESB vs VYM Performance
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF (AESB) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, AESB is down 2.10% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AESB charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AESB currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.9% of AESB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings AESB also owns.
AESB and VYM share little of their money.
21 positions in common, counted across the 164 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 164 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 510 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AESB (96.8% of the fund), and 131 for AESB that do not appear in VYM (70.5%).
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 AESB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBP:PRFirst Bancorp Puerto Rico | 3.15% | 0.02% | 3.13% |
| BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc. | 3.02% | 0.02% | 3.00% |
| CATYCathay Generalbancorp | 2.46% | 0.02% | 2.44% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 1.70% | 0.02% | 1.68% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 1.62% | 0.02% | 1.60% |
| KFYKorn Ferry | 1.39% | 0.02% | 1.37% |
| STRAStrategic Education Inc | 1.10% | 0.01% | 1.09% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.82% | 0.01% | 0.81% |
| SPBSpectrum Brands Holdings Inc | 0.78% | 0.01% | 0.77% |
| STNG:MHScorpio Tankers Inc. Common Stock | 0.78% | 0.01% | 0.77% |
21.9% of AESB is already inside VYM.
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, AESB or VYM?
AESB has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AESB and VYM?
21.9% of AESB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's is in holdings AESB also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 164 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AESB or VYM?
AESB yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AESB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AESB is less concentrated, with 22.8% 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.