EKG vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EKG or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%.
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 | EKG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 78 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.54% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.33%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.65% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.4% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $10,764 | $16,612Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 23, 2022 to Sep 11, 2026 (4.5 years).
EKG 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
EKG vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EKG returned +21.33% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, EKG is up 12.54% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, EKG compounded at +11.65% per year against +18.12% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EKG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.4% compared with 13.9% 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 -43.8% for EKG 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EKG charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EKG currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 38 holdings in EKG and 603 in VYM, totalling 100.0% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, EKG as of Sep 1, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 78 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 568 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EKG (97.5% of the fund), and 37 for EKG that do not appear in VYM (97.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EKG 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, EKG or VYM?
EKG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EKG or VYM?
Over the past year EKG returned +21.33% vs +17.57% for VYM, so EKG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EKG or VYM?
EKG has been the more volatile fund at 26.4% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EKG -43.8% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both EKG and VYM?
EKG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, EKG or VYM?
EKG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EKG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.