EPSV vs VYM
Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EPSV or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EPSV led over 1Y and the full window. EPSV is less concentrated, with 25.2% 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 | EPSV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.28% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 62 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +21.11%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +27.54%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 9.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $14,940Best | $12,935 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.2%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | 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 23, 2026 (1.4 years).
EPSV 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.
EPSV vs VYM Performance
Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EPSV returned +27.54% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, EPSV is up 21.11% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EPSV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 9.8% 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 -8.9% for EPSV 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPSV 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, EPSV currently yields 2.28% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.3% of EPSV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings EPSV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
31 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in EPSV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 62 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 497 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EPSV (95.7% of the fund), and 28 for EPSV that do not appear in VYM (48.7%).
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 EPSV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVTAvnet Inc | 2.70% | 0.03% | 2.67% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 2.40% | 0.06% | 2.34% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 2.20% | 0.03% | 2.17% |
| SFStifel Finl Corp | 2.00% | 0.05% | 1.95% |
| GATXGATX Corporation | 1.90% | 0.03% | 1.87% |
| UBSIUnited Bankshares Inc/Wv | 1.90% | 0.03% | 1.87% |
| MURMurphy Oil Corp | 1.90% | 0.02% | 1.88% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 1.70% | 0.08% | 1.62% |
| TKRTimken Co | 1.70% | 0.04% | 1.66% |
| MDUMdu Resources | 1.70% | 0.02% | 1.68% |
47.3% of EPSV 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EPSV or VYM?
EPSV 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, EPSV or VYM?
Over the past year EPSV returned +27.54% vs +14.28% for VYM, so EPSV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EPSV annualized +33.21% vs +20.18% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPSV or VYM?
EPSV has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 9.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EPSV -8.9% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both EPSV and VYM?
EPSV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 EPSV and VYM?
47.3% of EPSV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings EPSV also owns. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in EPSV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPSV or VYM?
EPSV yields 2.28% while VYM yields 2.22%, so EPSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EPSV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EPSV led over 1Y and the full window. EPSV is less concentrated, with 25.2% 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.