BAFE vs VYM
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BAFE 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 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%.
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 | BAFE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.28% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 46 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.62% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.18% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5% | 10.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,747 | $12,636Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.8 years).
BAFE 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
BAFE vs VYM Performance
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BAFE returned +8.18% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, BAFE is up 7.62% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 10.7% 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 -18.4% for BAFE 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $4 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.28% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.1% of BAFE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.0% of VYM's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
BAFE and VYM share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 557 in VYM, against full books of 46 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 518 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for BAFE (91.1% of the fund), and 28 for BAFE that do not appear in VYM (67.9%).
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 BAFE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 3.05% | 1.52% | 1.53% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.16% | 1.66% | 0.50% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 1.74% | 0.73% | 1.01% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 2.04% | 0.32% | 1.72% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 1.62% | 0.53% | 1.09% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 1.45% | 0.32% | 1.13% |
| PGRProgressive Corporation | 1.19% | 0.50% | 0.69% |
| WSOWatsco Inc | 1.48% | 0.04% | 1.44% |
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 0.95% | 0.18% | 0.77% |
| CARRCarrier Global Corp Common Stock Usd.01 | 0.90% | 0.20% | 0.70% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BAFE 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, BAFE or VYM?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAFE or VYM?
Over the past year BAFE returned +8.18% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BAFE annualized +9.36% vs +13.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAFE or VYM?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 10.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BAFE -18.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both BAFE and VYM?
BAFE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 BAFE and VYM?
16.1% of BAFE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.0% of VYM's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or VYM?
BAFE yields 0.28% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BAFE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.