EXG vs VYM
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EXG or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EXG led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.8%.
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 | EXG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.40% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 115 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.46% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.37%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.95%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.72% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,504 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 23, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.5 years).
EXG 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 19.5 years both funds cover.
EXG vs VYM Performance
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund (EXG) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EXG returned +21.37% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, EXG is up 11.46% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, EXG compounded at +18.95% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.72% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.89% annualized vs -1.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EXG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% 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 -76.1% for EXG 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EXG charges 1.07% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $4 annually, a gap of $103 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EXG currently yields 7.40% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
15.8% of EXG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.3% of VYM's money is in holdings EXG also owns.
EXG and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 123 days apart, EXG as of Feb 27, 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.
18 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in EXG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 115 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 552 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EXG (84.1% of the fund), and 30 for EXG that do not appear in VYM (39.9%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EXG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.52% | 7.29% | 5.77% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.62% | 2.36% | 0.74% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.02% | 0.76% | 0.26% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 1.03% | 0.65% | 0.38% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 1.54% | 0.07% | 1.47% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 1.17% | 0.20% | 0.97% |
| AIGAmerican International Gr | 1.14% | 0.16% | 0.98% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 1.00% | 0.13% | 0.87% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 0.61% | 0.52% | 0.09% |
| TFCTruist Financial Corp. | 0.77% | 0.26% | 0.51% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EXG 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, EXG or VYM?
EXG has an expense ratio of 1.07% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $103 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EXG or VYM?
Over the past year EXG returned +21.37% vs +20.84% for VYM, so EXG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EXG annualized -1.03% vs +6.89% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EXG or VYM?
EXG has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EXG -76.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EXG and VYM?
EXG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 EXG and VYM?
15.8% of EXG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.3% of VYM's is in holdings EXG also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in EXG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EXG or VYM?
EXG yields 7.40% while VYM yields 2.24%, so EXG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EXG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EXG led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.