AJUL vs VYM
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to July 2026 vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AJUL or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | AJUL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $94M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.86% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.66% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.4%Best | 10.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.1%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,669 | $14,144Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 1, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.2 years).
AJUL 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
AJUL vs VYM Performance
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to July 2026 (AJUL) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AJUL returned +5.66% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, AJUL is up 3.86% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.3% compared with 3.4% for AJUL. 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 -6.1% for AJUL and -14.5% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AJUL charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AJUL currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in AJUL and 557 in VYM, totalling 99.7% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in AJUL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 5 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AJUL 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, AJUL or VYM?
AJUL has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AJUL or VYM?
Over the past year AJUL returned +5.66% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AJUL annualized +7.27% vs +17.07% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AJUL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.3% annualized versus 3.4% for AJUL. Worst drawdown: AJUL -6.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both AJUL and VYM?
AJUL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AJUL or VYM?
AJUL yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AJUL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.