EFAX vs VYM
State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EFAX or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EFAX is less concentrated, with 14.6% 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 | EFAX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $515M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.12% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 658 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.53% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.99% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.52% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.07% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,741 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.6%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 24, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.9 years).
EFAX 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
EFAX vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (EFAX) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EFAX returned +19.99% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, EFAX is up 11.53% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, EFAX compounded at +18.52% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.07% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.62% annualized vs +8.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EFAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.3% 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 -36.2% for EFAX 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFAX charges 0.20% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $4 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFAX currently yields 3.12% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of EFAX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's money is in holdings EFAX also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
5 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFAX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 658 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EFAX (96.7% of the fund), and 15 for EFAX that do not appear in VYM (3.1%).
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
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EFAX 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, EFAX or VYM?
EFAX has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFAX or VYM?
Over the past year EFAX returned +19.99% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), EFAX annualized +8.11% vs +10.62% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFAX or VYM?
EFAX has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EFAX -36.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both EFAX and VYM?
EFAX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, EFAX or VYM?
EFAX yields 3.12% while VYM yields 2.24%, so EFAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EFAX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EFAX is less concentrated, with 14.6% 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.