FEDM vs VYM
Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FEDM or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FEDM led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FEDM is less concentrated, with 17.0% 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 | FEDM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $85M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 265 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.52% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.45%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.50% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.79% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,239 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5 years).
FEDM 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 5 years both funds cover.
FEDM vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust ESG & Climate Developed Markets ex-US Core ETF (FEDM) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FEDM returned +22.45% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, FEDM is up 13.52% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, FEDM compounded at +17.50% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.79% and +12.28% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FEDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.7% 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 -29.4% for FEDM and -15.8% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FEDM charges 0.12% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $4 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FEDM currently yields 2.87% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings FEDM also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in FEDM and 603 in VYM, against full books of 265 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 569 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FEDM (97.2% of the fund), and 3 for FEDM that do not appear in VYM (1.0%).
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 FEDM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 0.04% | 0.19% | 0.15% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FEDM 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, FEDM or VYM?
FEDM has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FEDM or VYM?
Over the past year FEDM returned +22.45% vs +20.84% for VYM, so FEDM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FEDM or VYM?
FEDM has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: FEDM -29.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both FEDM and VYM?
FEDM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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, FEDM or VYM?
FEDM yields 2.87% while VYM yields 2.24%, so FEDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FEDM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FEDM led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FEDM is less concentrated, with 17.0% 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.