EWL vs VYM
iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EWL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.4%.
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 | EWL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 48 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.47% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.32% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.95% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.71% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.1%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,836 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 12, 1996 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
EWL 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.
EWL vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL) 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 EWL returned +15.32% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, EWL is up 6.47% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, EWL compounded at +13.95% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.71% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +5.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% 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 -53.1% for EWL 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWL charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWL currently yields 1.70% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 41 holdings in EWL and 603 in VYM, totalling 98.8% and 99.5% 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 41 positions we hold weights for in EWL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 48 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 570 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EWL (97.4% of the fund), and 2 for EWL that do not appear in VYM (13.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWL 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, EWL or VYM?
EWL has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWL or VYM?
Over the past year EWL returned +15.32% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EWL annualized +5.57% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWL or VYM?
EWL has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EWL -53.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EWL and VYM?
EWL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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, EWL or VYM?
EWL yields 1.70% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EWL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.