BNDC vs VYM
Northern Trust Core Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BNDC or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | BNDC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $171M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.20% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 14 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.64% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.87% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.16% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.62% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,694 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 22, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.8 years).
BNDC 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
BNDC vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust Core Bond ETF (BNDC) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BNDC returned +0.87% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, BNDC is down 0.64% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, BNDC compounded at +4.16% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.62% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.24% annualized vs +0.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 5.2% for BNDC. 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 -23.2% for BNDC 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDC charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDC currently yields 4.20% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in BNDC and 603 in VYM, totalling 79.2% and 99.5% 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 7 positions we hold weights for in BNDC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 14 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDC 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, BNDC or VYM?
BNDC has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDC or VYM?
Over the past year BNDC returned +0.87% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), BNDC annualized +0.35% vs +10.24% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDC or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 5.2% for BNDC. Worst drawdown: BNDC -23.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BNDC and VYM?
BNDC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, BNDC or VYM?
BNDC yields 4.20% while VYM yields 2.24%, so BNDC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BNDC?
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.