AKAF vs VYM
The Frontier Economic Fund ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AKAF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AKAF led over 1Y and the full window. AKAF is less concentrated, with 17.7% 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 | AKAF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.86% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 143 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.20% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.71%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8% | 9.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,780Best | $12,287 |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.7%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Frontier Economic Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.2 years).
AKAF 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
AKAF vs VYM Performance
The Frontier Economic Fund ETF (AKAF) is an ETF from Frontier Economic Fund and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AKAF returned +16.71% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, AKAF is up 9.20% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AKAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 9.4% 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 -9.3% for AKAF and -6.7% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AKAF 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, AKAF currently yields 2.86% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
39.4% of AKAF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.8% of VYM's money is in holdings AKAF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
53 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in AKAF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 143 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 475 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AKAF (75.3% of the fund), and 64 for AKAF that do not appear in VYM (39.3%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AKAF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.16% | 2.63% | 0.47% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 2.22% | 0.60% | 1.62% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.72% | 1.86% | 1.14% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.69% | 1.38% | 0.69% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.67% | 1.34% | 0.67% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.55% | 0.30% | 1.25% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.76% | 1.07% | 0.31% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 1.44% | 0.32% | 1.12% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 1.50% | 0.24% | 1.26% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 1.56% | 0.11% | 1.45% |
39.4% of AKAF 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, AKAF or VYM?
AKAF 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, AKAF or VYM?
Over the past year AKAF returned +16.71% vs +15.34% for VYM, so AKAF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), AKAF annualized +22.68% vs +18.72% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AKAF or VYM?
AKAF has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 9.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AKAF -9.3% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both AKAF and VYM?
AKAF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 AKAF and VYM?
39.4% of AKAF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.8% of VYM's is in holdings AKAF also owns. They hold 53 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in AKAF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AKAF or VYM?
AKAF yields 2.86% while VYM yields 2.22%, so AKAF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AKAF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AKAF led over 1Y and the full window. AKAF is less concentrated, with 17.7% 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.