BREM vs VYM
iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BREM or VYM?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | BREM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.07% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 330 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +0.59% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.13% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.2%Best | -6.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,343 | $12,182Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 15, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 16, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1.1 years).
BREM 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
BREM vs VYM Performance
iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF (BREM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BREM returned +2.13% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, BREM is up 0.59% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 6.7% for BREM. 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 -5.2% for BREM and -6.7% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BREM charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BREM currently yields 6.07% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 53 holdings in BREM and 602 in VYM, totalling 34.8% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, BREM as of Oct 16, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in BREM and 602 in VYM, against full books of 330 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BREM 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, BREM or VYM?
BREM has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BREM or VYM?
Over the past year BREM returned +2.13% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BREM annualized +3.11% vs +19.65% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BREM or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 6.7% for BREM. Worst drawdown: BREM -5.2% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both BREM and VYM?
BREM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, BREM or VYM?
BREM yields 6.07% while VYM yields 2.23%, so BREM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BREM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.