DEEP vs VYM
Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DEEP or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DEEP led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DEEP is less concentrated, with 13.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | DEEP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.91% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 101 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +24.22%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +24.49%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.31% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.21% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,515 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Acquirers Funds, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.9 years).
DEEP 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
DEEP vs VYM Performance
Acquirers Small and Micro Deep Value ETF (DEEP) is an ETF from Acquirers Funds, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DEEP returned +24.49% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, DEEP is up 24.22% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, DEEP compounded at +11.31% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.21% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.26% annualized vs +5.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DEEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 13.8% 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 -56.4% for DEEP 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DEEP charges 0.80% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $4 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DEEP currently yields 1.91% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
8.0% of DEEP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings DEEP also owns.
DEEP and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, DEEP as of Aug 17, 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.
8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DEEP and 602 in VYM, against full books of 101 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 562 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DEEP (97.2% of the fund), and 82 for DEEP that do not appear in VYM (82.1%).
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 DEEP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGNATrinet Group Inc | 1.42% | 0.01% | 1.41% |
| ATKRAtkore Inc. | 1.11% | 0.01% | 1.10% |
| BCCBoise Cascade Company | 1.05% | 0.01% | 1.04% |
| HOGHarley-Davidson Inc. | 1.01% | 0.01% | 1.00% |
| WUWestern Union Co. | 0.97% | 0.01% | 0.96% |
| BKEBuckle Inc/the | 0.91% | 0.01% | 0.90% |
| SLVMSylvamo Corp | 0.88% | 0.01% | 0.87% |
| PZZAPapa John'S International Inc | 0.61% | 0.00% | 0.61% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DEEP 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, DEEP or VYM?
DEEP has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DEEP or VYM?
Over the past year DEEP returned +24.49% vs +20.84% for VYM, so DEEP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), DEEP annualized +5.72% vs +9.26% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DEEP or VYM?
DEEP has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DEEP -56.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DEEP and VYM?
DEEP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 DEEP and VYM?
8.0% of DEEP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings DEEP also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DEEP and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DEEP or VYM?
DEEP yields 1.91% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DEEP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DEEP led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DEEP is less concentrated, with 13.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.