ECAT vs VYM
BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ECAT or VYM?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ECAT led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 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 | ECAT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.43% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 22.11% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,008 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.77% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.84% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.47%Best | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.59% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,099 | $17,663Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2021 to Sep 22, 2026 (5 years).
ECAT 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 years both funds cover.
ECAT vs VYM Performance
BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ECAT returned +9.84% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, ECAT is up 9.77% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, ECAT compounded at +20.47% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.59% and +12.05% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ECAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% 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 -32.2% for ECAT 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ECAT charges 1.43% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $143 vs $4 annually, a gap of $139 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ECAT currently yields 22.11% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 36.1% of VYM's money is in holdings ECAT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ECAT, our book for it covers 79.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, ECAT as of Dec 31, 2025 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
33 positions in common, counted across the 549 positions we hold weights for in ECAT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,008 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ECAT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.45% | 7.35% | 5.90% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.17% | 3.82% | 2.65% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.33% | 2.51% | 2.18% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.07% | 1.66% | 0.59% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.79% | 1.86% | 1.07% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.34% | 1.80% | 1.46% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.75% | 1.34% | 0.59% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.05% | 0.89% | 0.16% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.08% | 0.74% | 0.34% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.21% | 1.52% | 1.31% |
36.1% of VYM is already inside ECAT.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ECAT or VYM?
ECAT has an expense ratio of 1.43% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $139 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ECAT or VYM?
Over the past year ECAT returned +9.84% vs +15.42% 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, ECAT or VYM?
ECAT has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ECAT -32.2% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both ECAT and VYM?
ECAT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 ECAT and VYM?
At least 36.1% of VYM's money is in holdings ECAT also owns. Our book for ECAT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 33 positions in common, counted across the 549 positions we hold weights for in ECAT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ECAT or VYM?
ECAT yields 22.11% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ECAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ECAT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ECAT led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.