AESR vs VYM
Anfield US Equity Sector Rotation ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AESR or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AESR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 83.5%.
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 | AESR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $251M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 32 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +17.20%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +23.77%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.36%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.34%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.1%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,703Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 83.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 16, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 17, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.7 years).
AESR 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 6.7 years both funds cover.
AESR vs VYM Performance
Anfield US Equity Sector Rotation ETF (AESR) is an ETF from Horizon Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AESR returned +23.77% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, AESR is up 17.20% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, AESR compounded at +24.36% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.34% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AESR has the edge at +15.91% annualized vs +11.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AESR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 15.6% 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 -31.1% for AESR 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AESR charges 0.97% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $97 vs $4 annually, a gap of $93 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AESR currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
2.2% of AESR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.3% of VYM's money is in holdings AESR also owns.
VYM and AESR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, AESR as of Aug 18, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in AESR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 32 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 568 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AESR (95.2% of the fund), and 27 for AESR that do not appear in VYM (96.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AESR 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, AESR or VYM?
AESR has an expense ratio of 0.97% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $93 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AESR or VYM?
Over the past year AESR returned +23.77% vs +20.84% for VYM, so AESR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AESR annualized +15.91% vs +11.33% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AESR or VYM?
AESR has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 15.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AESR -31.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AESR and VYM?
AESR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 AESR and VYM?
2.3% of VYM's money is in holdings AESR also owns. 2.3% of VYM's is in holdings AESR also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in AESR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AESR or VYM?
AESR yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AESR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AESR led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 83.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.