COAL vs VYM
Range Global Coal Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, COAL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. COAL led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.3%.
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 | COAL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $59M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.16% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 35 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.40%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +39.28%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.0% | 10.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.3% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $11,232 | $15,388Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Range ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 10, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 24, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (2.6 years).
COAL 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
COAL vs VYM Performance
Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) is an ETF from Range ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year COAL returned +39.28% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, COAL is up 18.40% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
COAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.0% compared with 10.3% 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 -43.3% for COAL 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 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COAL charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COAL currently yields 2.16% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.7% of COAL's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
COAL and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, COAL 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in COAL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 35 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for COAL (97.5% of the fund), and 9 for COAL that do not appear in VYM (42.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in COAL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTUPeabody Energy Corp | 3.66% | 0.01% | 3.65% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of COAL 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, COAL or VYM?
COAL has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COAL or VYM?
Over the past year COAL returned +39.28% vs +17.82% for VYM, so COAL leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COAL or VYM?
COAL has been the more volatile fund at 28.0% annualized versus 10.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: COAL -43.3% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both COAL and VYM?
COAL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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 COAL and VYM?
3.7% of COAL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings COAL also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in COAL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, COAL or VYM?
COAL yields 2.16% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than COAL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. COAL led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.