EWS vs VYM
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EWS or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EWS led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 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 | EWS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.84% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 50 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +11.56% | +14.40%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.61% | +18.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.55%Best | +19.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.88% | +11.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,017 | $17,049Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 12, 1996 | 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 Nov 9, 2026 (20 years).
EWS 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 20 years both funds cover.
EWS vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS) 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 EWS returned +10.61% while VYM returned +18.20%. Year to date, EWS is up 11.56% versus a gain of 14.40% for VYM.
Over three years, EWS compounded at +24.55% per year against +19.83% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.88% and +11.26% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +3.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -66.9% for EWS 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWS 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, EWS currently yields 3.84% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 16 holdings in EWS and 602 in VYM, totalling 107.3% and 100.0% 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 46 days apart, EWS as of Oct 16, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 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 16 positions we hold weights for in EWS and 602 in VYM, against full books of 50 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWS 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, EWS or VYM?
EWS 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, EWS or VYM?
Over the past year EWS returned +10.61% vs +18.20% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EWS annualized +3.10% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWS or VYM?
EWS has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EWS -66.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EWS and VYM?
EWS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, EWS or VYM?
EWS yields 3.84% while VYM yields 2.23%, so EWS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EWS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EWS led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.