EXI vs VYM
iShares Global Industrials ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EXI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EXI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. EXI is less concentrated, with 24.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | EXI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.07% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 238 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.69% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.41% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.26%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.51% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,241 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
EXI 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.
EXI vs VYM Performance
iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) 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 EXI returned +18.41% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, EXI is up 11.69% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, EXI compounded at +20.26% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.51% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, EXI has the edge at +7.17% annualized vs +7.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% 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 -63.9% for EXI 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EXI charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EXI currently yields 1.07% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
25.9% of EXI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.9% of VYM's money is in holdings EXI also owns.
EXI and VYM share little of their money.
39 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in EXI and 602 in VYM, against full books of 238 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 530 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EXI (86.3% of the fund), and 44 for EXI that do not appear in VYM (30.8%).
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 EXI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 4.33% | 2.01% | 2.32% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.62% | 0.67% | 0.95% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 1.55% | 0.69% | 0.86% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 1.05% | 0.43% | 0.62% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 0.91% | 0.41% | 0.50% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.93% | 0.37% | 0.56% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 0.92% | 0.38% | 0.54% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 0.84% | 0.37% | 0.47% |
| WMWaste Management Inc . | 0.82% | 0.34% | 0.48% |
| MMM3m Co. | 0.80% | 0.35% | 0.45% |
25.9% of EXI is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EXI or VYM?
EXI has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EXI or VYM?
Over the past year EXI returned +18.41% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EXI annualized +7.17% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EXI or VYM?
EXI has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EXI -63.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both EXI and VYM?
EXI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EXI and VYM?
25.9% of EXI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.9% of VYM's is in holdings EXI also owns. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in EXI and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EXI or VYM?
EXI yields 1.07% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EXI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EXI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. EXI is less concentrated, with 24.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.