FTRB vs VYM
Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FTRB or VYM?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | FTRB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $627M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.39% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 688 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.08% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.15% | +17.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.3%Best | 10.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.8%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $10,919 | $15,502Best |
| Fund Family | Federated Hermes | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 2, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2024 to Sep 14, 2026 (2.7 years).
FTRB 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
FTRB vs VYM Performance
Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) is an ETF from Federated Hermes and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FTRB returned -0.15% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, FTRB is down 1.08% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.3% compared with 4.3% for FTRB. 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 -4.8% for FTRB and -14.5% 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTRB charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTRB currently yields 4.39% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings FTRB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FTRB, our book for it covers 47.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 562 positions we hold weights for in FTRB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 688 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTRB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 0.16% | 0.34% | 0.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTRB 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, FTRB or VYM?
FTRB has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTRB or VYM?
Over the past year FTRB returned -0.15% vs +17.46% 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, FTRB or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.3% annualized versus 4.3% for FTRB. Worst drawdown: FTRB -4.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both FTRB and VYM?
FTRB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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, FTRB or VYM?
FTRB yields 4.39% while VYM yields 2.22%, so FTRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FTRB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.