EFV vs VYM
iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EFV or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EFV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. EFV is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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 | EFV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $31.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.47% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 427 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.83% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.44%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.26%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.82%Best | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,103Best | $17,750 |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.2%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 1, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
EFV 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
EFV vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EFV returned +23.44% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, EFV is up 12.83% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, EFV compounded at +22.26% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.82% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +4.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EFV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 14.5% 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 -62.2% for EFV and -58.8% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFV charges 0.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $4 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFV currently yields 4.47% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of EFV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings EFV also owns.
VYM and EFV share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 404 positions we hold weights for in EFV and 603 in VYM, against full books of 427 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EFV (96.2% of the fund), and 10 for EFV that do not appear in VYM (5.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EFV 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, EFV or VYM?
EFV has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFV or VYM?
Over the past year EFV returned +23.44% vs +17.82% for VYM, so EFV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EFV annualized +4.97% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFV or VYM?
EFV has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EFV -62.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EFV and VYM?
EFV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 EFV and VYM?
1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings EFV also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings EFV also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 404 positions we hold weights for in EFV and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFV or VYM?
EFV yields 4.47% while VYM yields 2.22%, so EFV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EFV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EFV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. EFV is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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.