GENZ vs VYM
VanEck Digital Native Economy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GENZ or VYM?
Large Cap Blend 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 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 67.1%.
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 | GENZ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.51% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.54% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 40 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -7.03% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -14.65% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -1.01% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.36% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.3% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.1% | -54.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,002 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 67.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 24, 2008 to Sep 10, 2026 (18.6 years).
GENZ 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 18.6 years both funds cover.
GENZ vs VYM Performance
VanEck Digital Native Economy ETF (GENZ) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GENZ returned -14.65% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, GENZ is down 7.03% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, GENZ compounded at -1.01% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -4.36% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.64% annualized vs +1.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GENZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.3% compared with 14.8% 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 -71.1% for GENZ and -54.3% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GENZ charges 0.51% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $51 vs $4 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GENZ currently yields 3.54% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
9.3% of GENZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings GENZ also owns.
GENZ and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, GENZ as of Sep 1, 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.
4 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in GENZ and 603 in VYM, against full books of 40 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 564 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GENZ (96.9% of the fund), and 26 for GENZ that do not appear in VYM (74.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GENZ 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, GENZ or VYM?
GENZ has an expense ratio of 0.51% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GENZ or VYM?
Over the past year GENZ returned -14.65% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), GENZ annualized +1.96% vs +7.64% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GENZ or VYM?
GENZ has been the more volatile fund at 26.3% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GENZ -71.1% vs VYM -54.3%.
Should I hold both GENZ and VYM?
GENZ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 GENZ and VYM?
9.3% of GENZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings GENZ also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in GENZ and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GENZ or VYM?
GENZ yields 3.54% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GENZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GENZ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 67.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.