BILS vs VYM
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BILS or VYM?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | BILS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.72% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 25 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.41% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.55% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.48% | +18.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.51% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.7%Best | 13.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.4%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,883 | $17,901Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2020 to Sep 21, 2026 (6 years).
BILS 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 6 years both funds cover.
BILS vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF (BILS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BILS returned +3.55% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, BILS is up 2.41% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, BILS compounded at +4.48% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.51% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +15.48% annualized vs +2.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 0.7% for BILS. 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 -0.4% for BILS and -15.8% 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 0.01. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BILS charges 0.14% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $4 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BILS currently yields 3.72% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in BILS and 557 in VYM, totalling 2.0% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in BILS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 25 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BILS 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, BILS or VYM?
BILS has an expense ratio of 0.14% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BILS or VYM?
Over the past year BILS returned +3.55% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BILS annualized +2.92% vs +15.48% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BILS or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 0.7% for BILS. Worst drawdown: BILS -0.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both BILS and VYM?
BILS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.01, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BILS or VYM?
BILS yields 3.72% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BILS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BILS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.