ETX vs VYM
Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ETX or VYM?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | ETX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.86% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $206M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.19% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 126 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.62% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.51% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.04% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.29% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,856 | $17,861Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.5 years).
ETX 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 13.5 years both funds cover.
ETX vs VYM Performance
Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust (ETX) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ETX returned -5.51% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, ETX is down 3.62% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, ETX compounded at +6.04% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.29% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.55% annualized vs +0.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 11.0% for ETX. 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 -32.8% for ETX 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 0.18. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ETX charges 1.86% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $186 vs $4 annually, a gap of $182 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ETX currently yields 5.19% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 49 holdings in ETX and 557 in VYM, totalling 44.3% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in ETX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 126 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ETX and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ETX or VYM?
ETX has an expense ratio of 1.86% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $182 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ETX or VYM?
Over the past year ETX returned -5.51% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), ETX annualized +0.88% vs +9.55% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ETX or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 11.0% for ETX. Worst drawdown: ETX -32.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ETX and VYM?
ETX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.18, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ETX or VYM?
ETX yields 5.19% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ETX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ETX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.