AIMS vs VYM
Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AIMS or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AIMS is less concentrated, with 13.1% 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 | AIMS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $87M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 284 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.93% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.1%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Acuitas Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 10, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
AIMS 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.
AIMS vs VYM Performance
Acuitas Small Cap Active ETF (AIMS) is an ETF from Acuitas Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, AIMS is up 7.93% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIMS charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIMS currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
4.9% of AIMS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings AIMS also owns.
AIMS and VYM share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 279 positions we hold weights for in AIMS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 284 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 516 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AIMS (96.9% of the fund), and 258 for AIMS that do not appear in VYM (92.9%).
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 AIMS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.66% | 0.02% | 0.64% |
| PFSProvident Financial Services Inc | 0.62% | 0.01% | 0.61% |
| CPKChesapeake Utilities Corp | 0.62% | 0.01% | 0.61% |
| OZKBank Ozk | 0.60% | 0.02% | 0.58% |
| BKHBlack Hills Corp | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| CBTCabot Corp | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| CNXCConcentrix Corporation | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| UGIUgi Corp | 0.27% | 0.03% | 0.24% |
| BHEBenchmark Electronics Inc | 0.28% | 0.01% | 0.27% |
| ASHAshland Global Holdings Inc | 0.18% | 0.01% | 0.17% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AIMS 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, AIMS or VYM?
AIMS has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AIMS and VYM?
4.9% of AIMS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings AIMS also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 279 positions we hold weights for in AIMS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIMS or VYM?
AIMS yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AIMS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AIMS is less concentrated, with 13.1% 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.