AT vs VYM
Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AT or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%.
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 | AT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 58 | 610 |
| YTD Return | -5.74% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.74% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 170.1% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 16.9 years | $27,506 | $50,918Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.4% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 14, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 16.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2009 to Nov 11, 2026 (16.9 years).
AT 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 16.9 years both funds cover.
AT vs VYM Performance
Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF (AT) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AT returned -5.74% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, AT is down 5.74% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 170.1% compared with 13.2% 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 -86.6% for AT 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 -0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AT charges 0.69% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $4 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AT currently yields 0.00% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
5.3% of AT's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
AT and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, AT as of Oct 16, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in AT and 602 in VYM, against full books of 58 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 576 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AT (98.6% of the fund), and 5 for AT that do not appear in VYM (22.1%).
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 AT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TKRTimken Co | 5.31% | 0.03% | 5.28% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AT 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, AT or VYM?
AT has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AT or VYM?
Over the past year AT returned -5.74% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), AT annualized +6.17% vs +10.11% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AT or VYM?
AT has been the more volatile fund at 170.1% annualized versus 13.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AT -86.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both AT and VYM?
AT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.08, 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 AT and VYM?
5.3% of AT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings AT also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in AT and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AT or VYM?
AT yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.