BTT vs VYM
BlackRock Municipal 2030 Target Term Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BTT or VYM?
Municipal Bond 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 | BTT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.34% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.28% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 557 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.13% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.03% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.28% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.17% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.2%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.0%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,915 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 29, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2012 to Sep 4, 2026 (14 years).
BTT 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 14 years both funds cover.
BTT vs VYM Performance
BlackRock Municipal 2030 Target Term Trust (BTT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BTT returned +3.03% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, BTT is up 0.13% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, BTT compounded at +6.28% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.17% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.16% annualized vs +0.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 10.2% for BTT. 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 -35.0% for BTT 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BTT charges 1.34% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $134 vs $4 annually, a gap of $130 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BTT currently yields 2.28% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 125 holdings in BTT and 603 in VYM, totalling 48.6% and 99.5% 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 150 days apart, BTT as of Jan 31, 2026 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 125 positions we hold weights for in BTT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 557 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BTT 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, BTT or VYM?
BTT has an expense ratio of 1.34% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $130 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BTT or VYM?
Over the past year BTT returned +3.03% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), BTT annualized +0.38% vs +10.16% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BTT or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 10.2% for BTT. Worst drawdown: BTT -35.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both BTT and VYM?
BTT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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, BTT or VYM?
BTT yields 2.28% while VYM yields 2.24%, so BTT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BTT?
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.