COWS vs VYM
Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, COWS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. COWS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.8%.
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 | COWS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 42 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +20.62%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +26.60%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.57%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 10.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $17,095Best | $16,691 |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 13, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (3 years).
COWS 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 years both funds cover.
COWS vs VYM Performance
Amplify Cash Flow Dividend Leaders ETF (COWS) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year COWS returned +26.60% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, COWS is up 20.62% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, COWS compounded at +19.57% per year against +18.64% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
COWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 10.6% 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 -24.8% for COWS 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COWS charges 0.19% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $4 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COWS currently yields 1.53% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
48.2% of COWS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.1% of VYM's money is in holdings COWS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
20 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 42 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 41 and 603 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 550 positions COWS does not, 95.3% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.29%, JPM 3.38%, JNJ 2.54%, XOM 2.36%, CAT 2.01%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in COWS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCOwens Corning | 3.62% | 0.05% | 3.57% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 3.23% | 0.11% | 3.12% |
| OSKOshkosh Corp. | 3.25% | 0.04% | 3.21% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 3.08% | 0.05% | 3.03% |
| HASHasbro Inc. | 3.02% | 0.05% | 2.97% |
| AVYAvery Dennison Corp. | 3.01% | 0.05% | 2.96% |
| FDXFedex Corp | 2.65% | 0.28% | 2.37% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 2.53% | 0.34% | 2.19% |
| CICigna Corp. | 2.53% | 0.30% | 2.23% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 2.61% | 0.13% | 2.48% |
48.2% of COWS is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, COWS or VYM?
COWS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COWS or VYM?
Over the past year COWS returned +26.60% vs +20.84% for VYM, so COWS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COWS or VYM?
COWS has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 10.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: COWS -24.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both COWS and VYM?
COWS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between COWS and VYM?
48.2% of COWS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.1% of VYM's is in holdings COWS also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in COWS and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, COWS or VYM?
COWS yields 1.53% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than COWS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. COWS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.