EPP vs VYM
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EPP 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. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.8%.
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 | EPP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.23% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 103 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.92% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.60% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.76% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,869 | $17,718Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2001 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 17, 2026 (19.8 years).
EPP 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.
EPP vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) 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 EPP returned +11.92% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, EPP is up 11.49% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, EPP compounded at +15.60% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.76% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.87% annualized vs +2.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 14.6% 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 -67.7% for EPP 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPP charges 0.47% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $4 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPP currently yields 3.23% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of EPP's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in EPP and 557 in VYM, against full books of 103 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EPP (97.1% of the fund), and 2 for EPP that do not appear in VYM (1.1%).
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
| Stock | Weight in EPP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.43% | 0.01% | 0.42% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EPP 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, EPP or VYM?
EPP has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPP or VYM?
Over the past year EPP returned +11.92% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EPP annualized +2.81% vs +6.87% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPP or VYM?
EPP has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EPP -67.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EPP and VYM?
EPP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, EPP or VYM?
EPP yields 3.23% while VYM yields 2.22%, so EPP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EPP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.