BRW vs VYM
Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BRW or VYM?
Bank Loan 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 | BRW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.43% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $368M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.86% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,064 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.31% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.68% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.56% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.51% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.2% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,707 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | Saba Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 12, 1988 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 9, 2026 (19.8 years).
BRW 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
BRW vs VYM Performance
Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund (BRW) is an ETF from Saba Capital and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BRW returned -10.68% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, BRW is up 0.31% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, BRW compounded at +7.56% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.51% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.94% annualized vs -0.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BRW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% 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 -67.2% for BRW and -58.8% 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRW charges 1.43% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $143 vs $4 annually, a gap of $139 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRW currently yields 13.86% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 13.4% of VYM's money is in holdings BRW also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BRW, our book for it covers 61.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and BRW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 334 days apart, BRW as of Jul 31, 2025 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.
44 positions in common, counted across the 532 positions we hold weights for in BRW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,064 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BRW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | -0.03% | 1.56% | 1.59% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | -0.10% | 1.56% | 1.66% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | -0.07% | 1.46% | 1.53% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | -0.04% | 1.04% | 1.08% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc. | -0.01% | 0.76% | 0.77% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | -0.01% | 0.67% | 0.68% |
| PAGSPagseguro Digital Ltd | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| PGRProgressive Corp. | -0.01% | 0.53% | 0.54% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 0.00% | 0.51% | 0.51% |
| USBUS Bancorp | -0.01% | 0.39% | 0.40% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRW 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, BRW or VYM?
BRW has an expense ratio of 1.43% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $139 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRW or VYM?
Over the past year BRW returned -10.68% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), BRW annualized -0.49% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRW or VYM?
BRW has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BRW -67.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both BRW and VYM?
BRW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 BRW and VYM?
At least 13.4% of VYM's money is in holdings BRW also owns. Our book for BRW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 532 positions we hold weights for in BRW and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BRW or VYM?
BRW yields 13.86% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BRW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BRW?
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.