EPEM vs VYM
Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EPEM or VYM?
EPEM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EPEM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.3%.
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 | EPEM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.85% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 44 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +28.82%Best | +11.47% |
| 1Y Return | +39.47%Best | +15.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 9.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.3% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $15,979Best | $12,705 |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.3 years).
EPEM 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
EPEM vs VYM Performance
Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EPEM) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EPEM returned +39.47% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, EPEM is up 28.82% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 9.4% 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 -13.3% for EPEM and -6.7% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPEM charges 0.84% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $4 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPEM currently yields 2.85% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
2.5% of EPEM's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
EPEM and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in EPEM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 44 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EPEM (97.0% of the fund), and 2 for EPEM that do not appear in VYM (2.0%).
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 EPEM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XPXp Inc. Class A Common Stock | 2.50% | 0.03% | 2.47% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EPEM 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, EPEM or VYM?
EPEM has an expense ratio of 0.84% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPEM or VYM?
Over the past year EPEM returned +39.47% vs +15.94% for VYM, so EPEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EPEM annualized +43.41% vs +20.22% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPEM or VYM?
EPEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 9.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EPEM -13.3% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both EPEM and VYM?
EPEM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 EPEM and VYM?
2.5% of EPEM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings EPEM also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in EPEM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPEM or VYM?
EPEM yields 2.85% while VYM yields 2.22%, so EPEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EPEM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EPEM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.