BUXX vs VYM
Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BUXX or VYM?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | BUXX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $468M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.89% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 326 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.74% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.92% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.15% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.6%Best | 10.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.6%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $11,702 | $16,334Best |
| Fund Family | Strive Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 10, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 10, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.1 years).
BUXX 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
BUXX vs VYM Performance
Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF (BUXX) is an ETF from Strive Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUXX returned +3.92% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, BUXX is up 2.74% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, BUXX compounded at +5.15% per year against +18.12% 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 10.8% compared with 0.6% for BUXX. 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 -0.6% for BUXX and -14.5% 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 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUXX charges 0.26% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $4 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUXX currently yields 4.89% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings BUXX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BUXX, our book for it covers 39.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, BUXX as of Aug 19, 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.
2 positions in common, counted across the 115 positions we hold weights for in BUXX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 326 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BUXX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCL 5.5 04/01/28 144RCL 5.5 04/01/28 144A | 0.48% | 0.33% | 0.15% |
| MTH 5.125 06/06/27Meritage Homes Corp. | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BUXX 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, BUXX or VYM?
BUXX has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUXX or VYM?
Over the past year BUXX returned +3.92% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUXX or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.8% annualized versus 0.6% for BUXX. Worst drawdown: BUXX -0.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both BUXX and VYM?
BUXX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, 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, BUXX or VYM?
BUXX yields 4.89% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BUXX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BUXX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.