ERX vs VYM
Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ERX or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ERX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 75.7%.
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 | ERX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.91% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $241M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 29 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +88.39%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +98.80%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.51%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +40.86%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 65.5% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $55,455Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 75.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2008 to Sep 4, 2026 (17.8 years).
ERX 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
ERX vs VYM Performance
Direxion Daily Energy Bull 2X ETF (ERX) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ERX returned +98.80% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, ERX is up 88.39% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, ERX compounded at +19.51% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +40.86% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.29% annualized vs -7.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ERX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 65.5% compared with 14.2% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ERX charges 0.91% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $91 vs $4 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ERX currently yields 1.49% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
70.8% of ERX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.9% of VYM's money is in holdings ERX also owns.
Most of ERX is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in ERX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 29 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 550 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ERX (89.5% of the fund), and 3 for ERX that do not appear in VYM (29.6%).
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 ERX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 14.96% | 2.36% | 12.60% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 10.83% | 1.28% | 9.55% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 4.37% | 0.53% | 3.84% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 3.57% | 0.31% | 3.26% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.51% | 0.28% | 3.23% |
| VLOValero Energy | 3.44% | 0.32% | 3.12% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 3.25% | 0.29% | 2.96% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 3.22% | 0.29% | 2.93% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 2.83% | 0.38% | 2.45% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 2.80% | 0.26% | 2.54% |
70.8% of ERX 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, ERX or VYM?
ERX has an expense ratio of 0.91% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ERX or VYM?
Over the past year ERX returned +98.80% vs +20.84% for VYM, so ERX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ERX annualized -7.21% vs +10.29% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ERX or VYM?
ERX has been the more volatile fund at 65.5% annualized versus 14.2% for VYM.
Should I hold both ERX and VYM?
ERX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 ERX and VYM?
70.8% of ERX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.9% of VYM's is in holdings ERX also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in ERX and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ERX or VYM?
ERX yields 1.49% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ERX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ERX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 75.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.