EVN vs VYM
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EVN 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 | EVN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.46% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $443M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.81% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 237 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.16% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.61% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.66% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.40% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.0% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,802 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 29, 1999 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
EVN 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
EVN vs VYM Performance
Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust (EVN) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EVN returned +7.61% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, EVN is up 3.16% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, EVN compounded at +9.66% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.40% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs -0.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EVN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.5% 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 -61.0% for EVN and -58.8% 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 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EVN charges 2.46% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $246 vs $4 annually, a gap of $242 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EVN currently yields 5.81% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 99 holdings in EVN and 603 in VYM, totalling 66.5% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, EVN as of Feb 28, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in EVN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 237 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EVN 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, EVN or VYM?
EVN has an expense ratio of 2.46% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $242 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EVN or VYM?
Over the past year EVN returned +7.61% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EVN annualized -0.56% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EVN or VYM?
EVN has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EVN -61.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EVN and VYM?
EVN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, 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, EVN or VYM?
EVN yields 5.81% while VYM yields 2.24%, so EVN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EVN?
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.