BKHY vs VYM
BNY Mellon High Yield ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BKHY or VYM?
High Yield 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 | BKHY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.22% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.40% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,670 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.24% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.05% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.73% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.54% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.1%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.9% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,900 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | BNY Mellon Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 22, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 24, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.4 years).
BKHY 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
BKHY vs VYM Performance
BNY Mellon High Yield ETF (BKHY) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BKHY returned +3.05% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, BKHY is up 1.24% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, BKHY compounded at +7.73% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.54% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +15.29% annualized vs +5.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 7.1% for BKHY. 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 -15.9% for BKHY 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BKHY charges 0.22% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $22 vs $4 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BKHY currently yields 7.40% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings BKHY also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BKHY, our book for it covers 61.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, BKHY as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 977 positions we hold weights for in BKHY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,670 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BKHY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFSI 4.25 02/15/29 1Pennymac Financial Services Inc | 0.08% | 0.01% | 0.07% |
| MTCHII 5 12/15/27 14Match Group Inc | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BKHY 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, BKHY or VYM?
BKHY has an expense ratio of 0.22% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BKHY or VYM?
Over the past year BKHY returned +3.05% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BKHY annualized +5.27% vs +15.29% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BKHY or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 7.1% for BKHY. Worst drawdown: BKHY -15.9% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both BKHY and VYM?
BKHY 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, BKHY or VYM?
BKHY yields 7.40% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BKHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BKHY?
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.