HACK vs VYM
Amplify Cybersecurity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HACK or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HACK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.1%.
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 | HACK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.05% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 25 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +56.48%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +42.71%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +34.54%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.17%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,398Best | $17,311 |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.1% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 11, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2014 to Sep 23, 2026 (11.9 years).
HACK 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
HACK vs VYM Performance
Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HACK returned +42.71% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, HACK is up 56.48% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, HACK compounded at +34.54% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.17% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, HACK has the edge at +14.90% annualized vs +8.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HACK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 13.9% 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 -42.7% for HACK and -35.7% 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
HACK charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HACK currently yields 0.05% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
23.0% of HACK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.0% of VYM's money is in holdings HACK also owns.
HACK and VYM share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in HACK and 557 in VYM, against full books of 25 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 523 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HACK (87.1% of the fund), and 17 for HACK that do not appear in VYM (70.3%).
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.
23.0% of HACK 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HACK or VYM?
HACK has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HACK or VYM?
Over the past year HACK returned +42.71% vs +14.28% for VYM, so HACK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), HACK annualized +14.90% vs +8.66% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HACK or VYM?
HACK has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HACK -42.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both HACK and VYM?
HACK 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.
What is the holdings overlap between HACK and VYM?
23.0% of HACK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.0% of VYM's is in holdings HACK also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in HACK and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HACK or VYM?
HACK yields 0.05% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HACK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HACK led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.