CMBS vs VYM
iShares CMBS ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CMBS or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | CMBS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $468M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.62% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 466 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.45% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.80% | +17.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.35% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.52% | +12.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.9%Best | 13.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,263 | $17,797Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 16, 2012 to Sep 14, 2026 (14.6 years).
CMBS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
CMBS vs VYM Performance
iShares CMBS ETF (CMBS) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CMBS returned +0.80% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, CMBS is down 0.45% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, CMBS compounded at +5.35% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.52% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.01% annualized vs +0.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.0% compared with 3.9% for CMBS. 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 -16.4% for CMBS 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 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CMBS charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CMBS currently yields 3.62% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 419 holdings in CMBS and 557 in VYM, totalling 89.0% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 419 positions we hold weights for in CMBS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 466 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CMBS 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, CMBS or VYM?
CMBS has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CMBS or VYM?
Over the past year CMBS returned +0.80% vs +17.46% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), CMBS annualized +0.78% vs +10.01% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CMBS or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.0% annualized versus 3.9% for CMBS. Worst drawdown: CMBS -16.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both CMBS and VYM?
CMBS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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, CMBS or VYM?
CMBS yields 3.62% while VYM yields 2.22%, so CMBS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CMBS?
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.