BLCN vs VYM
Siren NexGen Economy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BLCN or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.9%.
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 | BLCN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $33M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 27 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 8.5 years | $10,984 | $21,163Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.9% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 16, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 59 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BLCN has data through Jul 14, 2026 and VYM through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 8.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2018 to Jul 14, 2026 (8.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BLCN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.1% compared with 15.3% 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 -67.5% for BLCN 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BLCN charges 0.68% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $4 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BLCN currently yields 2.71% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
11.4% of BLCN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.1% of VYM's money is in holdings BLCN also owns.
BLCN and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 61 days apart, BLCN as of Apr 30, 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.
3 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in BLCN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 27 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 565 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for BLCN (92.3% of the fund), and 7 for BLCN that do not appear in VYM (38.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BLCN 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, BLCN or VYM?
BLCN has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BLCN or VYM?
BLCN has been the more volatile fund at 28.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BLCN -67.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BLCN and VYM?
BLCN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 BLCN and VYM?
11.4% of BLCN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.1% of VYM's is in holdings BLCN also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in BLCN and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BLCN or VYM?
BLCN yields 2.71% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BLCN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BLCN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.