FEIG vs VYM
Northern Trust ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FEIG or VYM?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.4%.
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 | FEIG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $49M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.92% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 1,049 | 610 |
| YTD Return | -1.21% | +14.40%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.84% | +18.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.07% | +19.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.58% | +11.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.3% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,713 | $17,049Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.4% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | 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 Nov 9, 2026 (5.1 years).
FEIG 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
FEIG vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust ESG & Climate Investment Grade Corporate Core ETF (FEIG) 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 FEIG returned -0.84% while VYM returned +18.20%. Year to date, FEIG is down 1.21% versus a gain of 14.40% for VYM.
Over three years, FEIG compounded at +5.07% per year against +19.83% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.58% and +11.26% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 8.2% for FEIG. 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 -22.3% for FEIG 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FEIG 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, FEIG currently yields 4.92% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
45.3% of FEIG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 56.8% of VYM's money is in holdings FEIG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, FEIG as of Oct 19, 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.
122 positions in common, counted across the 249 positions we hold weights for in FEIG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 1,049 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 457 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FEIG (41.9% of the fund), and 121 for FEIG that do not appear in VYM (52.9%).
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 FEIG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.54% | 6.94% | 2.40% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.92% | 3.83% | 0.09% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 3.24% | 2.70% | 0.54% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.70% | 2.58% | 0.12% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.57% | 1.47% | 0.10% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.61% | 1.39% | 0.22% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.62% | 1.36% | 0.26% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.10% | 1.83% | 0.73% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.21% | 1.65% | 0.44% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 0.99% | 1.46% | 0.47% |
56.8% of VYM is already inside FEIG.
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, FEIG or VYM?
FEIG 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, FEIG or VYM?
Over the past year FEIG returned -0.84% vs +18.20% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FEIG or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 8.2% for FEIG. Worst drawdown: FEIG -22.3% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both FEIG and VYM?
FEIG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 FEIG and VYM?
56.8% of VYM's money is in holdings FEIG also owns. 56.8% of VYM's is in holdings FEIG also owns. They hold 122 positions in common, counted across the 249 positions we hold weights for in FEIG and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FEIG or VYM?
FEIG yields 4.92% while VYM yields 2.23%, so FEIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FEIG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.