EPSB vs VYM
Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EPSB or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EPSB led over 1Y and the full window. EPSB is less concentrated, with 26.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | EPSB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.15% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 59 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.22%Best | +11.47% |
| 1Y Return | +18.96%Best | +15.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1% | 9.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.5% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $13,309Best | $13,095 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.4 years).
EPSB 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
EPSB vs VYM Performance
Harbor SMID Cap Core ETF (EPSB) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EPSB returned +18.96% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, EPSB is up 15.22% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPSB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 9.3% 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 -8.5% for EPSB 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPSB charges 0.88% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $4 annually, a gap of $84 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPSB currently yields 1.15% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
42.4% of EPSB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings EPSB also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
24 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in EPSB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 59 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 505 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EPSB (95.9% of the fund), and 32 for EPSB that do not appear in VYM (54.6%).
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 EPSB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 2.70% | 0.06% | 2.64% |
| RRyder System Inc | 2.70% | 0.04% | 2.66% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 2.60% | 0.02% | 2.58% |
| RJFRaymond James Financial Inc. | 2.30% | 0.12% | 2.18% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 2.30% | 0.03% | 2.27% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 2.20% | 0.08% | 2.12% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 2.20% | 0.05% | 2.15% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 2.10% | 0.08% | 2.02% |
| GATXGATX Corporation | 2.10% | 0.03% | 2.07% |
| HIIHuntington Ingalls Industries Inc. | 1.90% | 0.05% | 1.85% |
42.4% of EPSB is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EPSB or VYM?
EPSB has an expense ratio of 0.88% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $84 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPSB or VYM?
Over the past year EPSB returned +18.96% vs +15.94% for VYM, so EPSB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EPSB annualized +22.65% vs +21.24% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPSB or VYM?
EPSB has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 9.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EPSB -8.5% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both EPSB and VYM?
EPSB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 EPSB and VYM?
42.4% of EPSB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's is in holdings EPSB also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in EPSB and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPSB or VYM?
EPSB yields 1.15% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EPSB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EPSB led over 1Y and the full window. EPSB is less concentrated, with 26.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.