BFOR vs VYM
Barron'S 400 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BFOR or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BFOR led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. BFOR is less concentrated, with 5.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | BFOR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $237M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 396 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +16.18%Best | +15.29% |
| 1Y Return | +20.88% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.12%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.58% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,534 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.1%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | ALPS ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 3, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2013 to Sep 3, 2026 (13.2 years).
BFOR 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
BFOR vs VYM Performance
Barron'S 400 ETF (BFOR) is an ETF from ALPS ETF Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BFOR returned +20.88% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, BFOR is up 16.18% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, BFOR compounded at +19.12% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.58% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, BFOR has the edge at +11.18% annualized vs +9.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BFOR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 13.4% 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 -42.2% for BFOR 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BFOR charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BFOR currently yields 0.52% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.5% of BFOR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 26.8% of VYM's money is in holdings BFOR also owns.
VYM and BFOR share little of their money.
91 positions in common, counted across the 378 positions we hold weights for in BFOR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 396 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 480 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for BFOR (70.7% of the fund), and 275 for BFOR that do not appear in VYM (69.8%).
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 BFOR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.26% | 7.29% | 7.03% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.23% | 2.54% | 2.31% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.20% | 1.42% | 1.22% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.25% | 1.32% | 1.07% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.24% | 1.31% | 1.07% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.31% | 1.13% | 0.82% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 0.69% | 0.54% | 0.15% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.27% | 0.80% | 0.53% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.24% | 0.75% | 0.51% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.20% | 0.65% | 0.45% |
26.8% of VYM is already inside BFOR.
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, BFOR or VYM?
BFOR has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BFOR or VYM?
Over the past year BFOR returned +20.88% vs +22.23% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), BFOR annualized +11.18% vs +9.62% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BFOR or VYM?
BFOR has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BFOR -42.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BFOR and VYM?
BFOR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 BFOR and VYM?
26.8% of VYM's money is in holdings BFOR also owns. 26.8% of VYM's is in holdings BFOR also owns. They hold 91 positions in common, counted across the 378 positions we hold weights for in BFOR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BFOR or VYM?
BFOR yields 0.52% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BFOR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BFOR led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. BFOR is less concentrated, with 5.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.