EWQ vs VYM
iShares MSCI France ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EWQ 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 59.0%.
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 | EWQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $336M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 61 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.52% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.54% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.59% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.95% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.0% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,351 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.0% | 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 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
EWQ 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.
EWQ vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ) 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 EWQ returned +4.54% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, EWQ is down 1.52% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, EWQ compounded at +8.59% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.95% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +2.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% 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 -64.0% for EWQ 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWQ 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, EWQ currently yields 2.88% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.1% of EWQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings EWQ also owns.
EWQ and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, EWQ as of Aug 31, 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.
2 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EWQ and 603 in VYM, against full books of 61 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EWQ (97.3% of the fund), and 4 for EWQ that do not appear in VYM (5.5%).
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 EWQ 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, EWQ or VYM?
EWQ 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, EWQ or VYM?
Over the past year EWQ returned +4.54% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EWQ annualized +2.29% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWQ or VYM?
EWQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EWQ -64.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EWQ and VYM?
EWQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 EWQ and VYM?
3.1% of EWQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings EWQ also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in EWQ and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWQ or VYM?
EWQ yields 2.88% while VYM yields 2.22%, so EWQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EWQ?
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 59.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.