EWZ vs VYM
iShares MSCI Brazil ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EWZ or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EWZ led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.1%.
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 | EWZ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 56 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +20.89%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +35.25%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.61% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.48% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,460 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2000 | 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).
EWZ 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.
EWZ vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ) 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 EWZ returned +35.25% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, EWZ is up 20.89% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, EWZ compounded at +13.61% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.48% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +1.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.6% 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 -82.8% for EWZ 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWZ charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWZ currently yields 4.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.5% of EWZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
EWZ and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, EWZ 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in EWZ and 603 in VYM, against full books of 56 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EWZ (97.5% of the fund), and 2 for EWZ that do not appear in VYM (4.1%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWZ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XPXp Inc | 1.48% | 0.03% | 1.45% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWZ 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, EWZ or VYM?
EWZ has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWZ or VYM?
Over the past year EWZ returned +35.25% vs +17.82% for VYM, so EWZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EWZ annualized +1.47% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWZ or VYM?
EWZ has been the more volatile fund at 32.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EWZ -82.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EWZ and VYM?
EWZ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 EWZ and VYM?
1.5% of EWZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings EWZ also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in EWZ and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWZ or VYM?
EWZ yields 4.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so EWZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EWZ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EWZ led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.