CPLB vs VYM
NYLI MacKay Core Plus Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CPLB 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 | CPLB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $402M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.98% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 966 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.83% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.10% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.79% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.48% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.5%Best | 13.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.0% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,242 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | INDEXIQ ETF TRUST | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 29, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.2 years).
CPLB 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
CPLB vs VYM Performance
NYLI MacKay Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLB) is an ETF from INDEXIQ ETF TRUST and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CPLB returned +2.10% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, CPLB is up 0.83% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, CPLB compounded at +5.79% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.48% and +12.28% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 6.5% for CPLB. 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 -19.0% for CPLB and -15.8% 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CPLB charges 0.30% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $4 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CPLB currently yields 5.98% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 438 holdings in CPLB and 603 in VYM, totalling 36.9% and 99.5% of the two funds. That is not enough of CPLB to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, CPLB as of Aug 18, 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 438 positions we hold weights for in CPLB and 603 in VYM, against full books of 966 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CPLB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFSI 4.25 02/15/29 1Pennymac Financial Services Inc | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CPLB 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, CPLB or VYM?
CPLB has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CPLB or VYM?
Over the past year CPLB returned +2.10% vs +20.84% 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, CPLB or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 6.5% for CPLB. Worst drawdown: CPLB -19.0% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both CPLB and VYM?
CPLB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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, CPLB or VYM?
CPLB yields 5.98% while VYM yields 2.24%, so CPLB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CPLB?
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.