HART vs VYM

HART vs VYM

Which is better, HART or VYM?

All Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.

VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VYMHigher Returns: VYM

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

MetricHARTVYM
Expense Ratio0.45%0.04%Best
AUM$9M$81.6B
Dividend Yield1.62%2.22%
Holdings71613
Volatility (annualized)13.6%Best14.2%
Max Drawdown-17.4%-15.8%Best
$10,000 over 4.6 years$13,006$16,431Best
Fund FamilyINDEXIQ ETF TRUSTVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleAll Cap BlendLarge Cap Value
InceptionJan 14, 2021Nov 10, 2006

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 387 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HART has data through Aug 19, 2025 and VYM through Sep 10, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 14, 2021 to Aug 19, 2025 (4.6 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 13.6% for HART. 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 -17.4% for HART 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

HART charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HART currently yields 1.62% against 2.22% for VYM.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of HART and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

HARTVYM

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, HART or VYM?

HART has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, HART or VYM?

VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 13.6% for HART. Worst drawdown: HART -17.4% vs VYM -15.8%.

Should I hold both HART and VYM?

HART and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, HART or VYM?

HART yields 1.62% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VYM better than HART?

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.