BTAL vs VYM
AGF US Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BTAL or VYM?
Multi Alternative 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 | BTAL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $317M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 402 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -5.20% | +14.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.80% | +16.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -10.69% | +21.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.93% | +11.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,072 | $17,218Best |
| Fund Family | AGFiQ | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 13, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2011 to Oct 26, 2026 (15.1 years).
BTAL 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
BTAL vs VYM Performance
AGF US Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund ETF (BTAL) is an ETF from AGFiQ and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BTAL returned -7.80% while VYM returned +16.84%. Year to date, BTAL is down 5.20% versus a gain of 14.18% for VYM.
Over three years, BTAL compounded at -10.69% per year against +21.33% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -1.93% and +11.48% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.70% annualized vs -2.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BTAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 13.1% 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 -52.7% for BTAL 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 -0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BTAL charges 1.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $140 vs $4 annually, a gap of $136 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BTAL currently yields 2.98% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 42.1% of VYM's money is in holdings BTAL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BTAL, our book for it covers 76.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
161 positions in common, counted across the 399 positions we hold weights for in BTAL and 602 in VYM, against full books of 402 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BTAL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | -0.35% | 6.94% | 7.29% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.38% | 2.58% | 2.20% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.40% | 1.83% | 1.43% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.41% | 1.76% | 1.35% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.37% | 1.47% | 1.10% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 0.42% | 1.18% | 0.76% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.39% | 0.91% | 0.52% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.40% | 0.86% | 0.46% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.37% | 0.84% | 0.47% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.41% | 0.73% | 0.32% |
42.1% of VYM is already inside BTAL.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BTAL or VYM?
BTAL has an expense ratio of 1.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $136 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BTAL or VYM?
Over the past year BTAL returned -7.80% vs +16.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), BTAL annualized -2.99% vs +10.70% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BTAL or VYM?
BTAL has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BTAL -52.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BTAL and VYM?
BTAL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.48, 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 BTAL and VYM?
At least 42.1% of VYM's money is in holdings BTAL also owns. Our book for BTAL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 161 positions in common, counted across the 399 positions we hold weights for in BTAL and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BTAL or VYM?
BTAL yields 2.98% while VYM yields 2.37%, so BTAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BTAL?
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.