ESGG vs VYM
Northern Trust STOXX Global ESG Select ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ESGG or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ESGG 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 41.3%.
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 | ESGG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.42% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $119M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.25% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 728 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +15.24%Best | +9.22% |
| 1Y Return | +19.85%Best | +12.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.27%Best | +18.21% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.44%Best | +11.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,972Best | $17,149 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2016 to Oct 1, 2026 (10.2 years).
ESGG 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 10.2 years both funds cover.
ESGG vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust STOXX Global ESG Select ETF (ESGG) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESGG returned +19.85% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, ESGG is up 15.24% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, ESGG compounded at +22.27% per year against +18.21% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.44% and +11.39% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ESGG has the edge at +13.63% annualized vs +9.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESGG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.2% 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 -32.3% for ESGG and -35.7% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESGG charges 0.42% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $42 vs $4 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESGG currently yields 1.25% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
26.1% of ESGG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 29.5% of VYM's money is in holdings ESGG also owns.
VYM and ESGG share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ESGG as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
46 positions in common, counted across the 675 positions we hold weights for in ESGG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 728 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 484 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ESGG (67.6% of the fund), and 71 for ESGG that do not appear in VYM (41.4%).
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 ESGG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.16% | 7.35% | 3.19% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 5.01% | 3.82% | 1.19% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.41% | 2.51% | 0.90% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 3.03% | 2.63% | 0.40% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.28% | 1.31% | 0.03% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.94% | 1.38% | 0.44% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.22% | 1.07% | 0.15% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.84% | 0.89% | 0.05% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 0.84% | 0.85% | 0.01% |
| BLKBlackrock Inc | 0.56% | 0.68% | 0.12% |
29.5% of VYM is already inside ESGG.
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, ESGG or VYM?
ESGG has an expense ratio of 0.42% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESGG or VYM?
Over the past year ESGG returned +19.85% vs +12.81% for VYM, so ESGG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ESGG annualized +13.63% vs +9.37% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESGG or VYM?
ESGG has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ESGG -32.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ESGG and VYM?
ESGG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 ESGG and VYM?
29.5% of VYM's money is in holdings ESGG also owns. 29.5% of VYM's is in holdings ESGG also owns. They hold 46 positions in common, counted across the 675 positions we hold weights for in ESGG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESGG or VYM?
ESGG yields 1.25% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ESGG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ESGG 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 41.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.