ESGU vs VYM
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ESGU or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ESGU led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%.
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 | ESGU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $18.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 282 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.46% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.83% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.60%Best | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.42% | +11.98%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,172 | $17,608Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2016 to Sep 15, 2026 (9.8 years).
ESGU 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
ESGU vs VYM Performance
iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) 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 ESGU returned +15.83% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, ESGU is up 11.46% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, ESGU compounded at +20.60% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.42% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, ESGU has the edge at +14.27% annualized vs +9.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESGU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.4% 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 -33.9% for ESGU 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESGU charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESGU currently yields 0.91% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
34.2% of ESGU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 69.0% of VYM's money is in holdings ESGU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
120 positions in common, counted across the 267 positions we hold weights for in ESGU and 557 in VYM, against full books of 282 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 409 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ESGU (28.4% of the fund), and 140 for ESGU that do not appear in VYM (64.4%).
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 ESGU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.55% | 7.35% | 4.80% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.39% | 3.82% | 2.43% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.69% | 2.63% | 1.94% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.77% | 2.51% | 1.74% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.71% | 1.86% | 1.15% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.76% | 1.80% | 1.04% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.60% | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.44% | 1.66% | 1.22% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.65% | 1.34% | 0.69% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.58% | 1.37% | 0.79% |
69.0% of VYM is already inside ESGU.
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, ESGU or VYM?
ESGU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESGU or VYM?
Over the past year ESGU returned +15.83% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ESGU annualized +14.27% vs +9.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESGU or VYM?
ESGU has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ESGU -33.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ESGU and VYM?
ESGU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 ESGU and VYM?
69.0% of VYM's money is in holdings ESGU also owns. 69.0% of VYM's is in holdings ESGU also owns. They hold 120 positions in common, counted across the 267 positions we hold weights for in ESGU and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESGU or VYM?
ESGU yields 0.91% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ESGU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ESGU led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.