BLES vs VYM
Inspire Global Hope ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BLES or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BLES led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. BLES is less concentrated, with 3.7% 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 | BLES | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $167M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 420 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.67%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +21.23%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.76% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.19% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,823 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.7%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Inspire ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.5 years).
BLES 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 9.5 years both funds cover.
BLES vs VYM Performance
Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES) is an ETF from Inspire ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BLES returned +21.23% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, BLES is up 15.67% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, BLES compounded at +16.76% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.19% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.90% annualized vs +9.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BLES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 14.5% 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 -40.4% for BLES 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BLES charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BLES currently yields 1.80% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
17.9% of BLES's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 18.0% of VYM's money is in holdings BLES also owns.
VYM and BLES share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, BLES as of Feb 28, 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.
70 positions in common, counted across the 399 positions we hold weights for in BLES and 603 in VYM, against full books of 420 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for BLES (79.4% of the fund), and 131 for BLES that do not appear in VYM (31.6%).
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 BLES | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.21% | 7.29% | 7.08% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.29% | 2.01% | 1.72% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.19% | 0.81% | 0.62% |
| PGRProgressive Corporation | 0.21% | 0.53% | 0.32% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.28% | 0.32% | 0.04% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 0.31% | 0.29% | 0.02% |
| WMWaste Mgmt | 0.25% | 0.34% | 0.09% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 0.26% | 0.31% | 0.05% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.27% | 0.29% | 0.02% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 0.28% | 0.26% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BLES 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, BLES or VYM?
BLES has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BLES or VYM?
Over the past year BLES returned +21.23% vs +20.84% for VYM, so BLES leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), BLES annualized +9.47% vs +9.90% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BLES or VYM?
BLES has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BLES -40.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BLES and VYM?
BLES and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BLES and VYM?
18.0% of VYM's money is in holdings BLES also owns. 18.0% of VYM's is in holdings BLES also owns. They hold 70 positions in common, counted across the 399 positions we hold weights for in BLES and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BLES or VYM?
BLES yields 1.80% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BLES?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BLES led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. BLES is less concentrated, with 3.7% 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.