BST vs VYM
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BST or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BST led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y.
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 | BST | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.10% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.06% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 88 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +30.20%Best | +12.29% |
| 1Y Return | +37.32%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.21%Best | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.22% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,844 | $17,718Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 29, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2014 to Sep 17, 2026 (11.9 years).
BST 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
BST vs VYM Performance
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BST returned +37.32% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, BST is up 30.20% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, BST compounded at +27.21% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.22% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, BST has the edge at +12.66% annualized vs +9.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% compared with 13.8% 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 -46.6% for BST 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BST charges 1.10% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $110 vs $4 annually, a gap of $106 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BST currently yields 8.06% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.7% of VYM's money is in holdings BST also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BST, our book for it covers 73.9% 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 BST share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, BST as of Dec 31, 2025 and VYM as of Jul 31, 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 47 positions we hold weights for in BST and 557 in VYM, against full books of 88 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BST 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, BST or VYM?
BST has an expense ratio of 1.10% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $106 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BST or VYM?
Over the past year BST returned +37.32% vs +16.61% for VYM, so BST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), BST annualized +12.66% vs +9.09% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BST or VYM?
BST has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BST -46.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BST and VYM?
BST and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 BST and VYM?
At least 8.7% of VYM's money is in holdings BST also owns. Our book for BST is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BST and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BST or VYM?
BST yields 8.06% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BST?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BST led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.