BESF vs VYM
Bastion Energy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BESF or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BESF led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.0%.
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 | BESF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $36M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.85% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 23 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +20.25%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +65.13%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 8.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.0% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $17,795Best | $13,018 |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.0% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | EA Series Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 3, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.3 years).
BESF 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
BESF vs VYM Performance
Bastion Energy ETF (BESF) is an ETF from EA Series Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BESF returned +65.13% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, BESF is up 20.25% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BESF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 8.7% 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 -11.0% for BESF 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 -0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BESF charges 0.80% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $4 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BESF currently yields 5.85% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
35.1% of BESF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.5% of VYM's money is in holdings BESF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
8 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in BESF and 603 in VYM, against full books of 23 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 22 and 603 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 560 positions BESF does not, 96.0% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.29%, JPM 3.38%, JNJ 2.54%, XOM 2.36%, CAT 2.01%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BESF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 5.17% | 0.38% | 4.79% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 5.10% | 0.23% | 4.87% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 4.63% | 0.13% | 4.50% |
| CHKChesapeake Energy Corp | 4.58% | 0.09% | 4.49% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 4.30% | 0.25% | 4.05% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc. | 4.02% | 0.14% | 3.88% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp. | 3.61% | 0.19% | 3.42% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 3.72% | 0.06% | 3.66% |
35.1% of BESF 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BESF or VYM?
BESF has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BESF or VYM?
Over the past year BESF returned +65.13% vs +17.57% for VYM, so BESF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BESF annualized +55.79% vs +22.49% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BESF or VYM?
BESF has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 8.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BESF -11.0% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both BESF and VYM?
BESF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.02, 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 BESF and VYM?
35.1% of BESF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.5% of VYM's is in holdings BESF also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in BESF and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BESF or VYM?
BESF yields 5.85% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BESF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BESF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BESF led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.