HBTA vs VYM
Horizon Expedition Plus ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HBTA or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.5%.
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 | HBTA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $257M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 260 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8% | -15.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,020 | $11,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 5099 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HBTA has data through Oct 16, 2012 and VYM through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 27, 2011 to Oct 16, 2012 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HBTA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 11.4% 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 -23.8% for HBTA and -15.1% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HBTA charges 0.86% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $4 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HBTA currently yields 0.58% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.7% of HBTA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 23.1% of VYM's money is in holdings HBTA also owns.
VYM and HBTA share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, HBTA as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
14 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 260 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 514 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HBTA (74.0% of the fund), and 19 for HBTA that do not appear in VYM (47.2%).
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 HBTA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.03% | 7.35% | 5.32% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.54% | 3.82% | 2.28% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.60% | 1.52% | 1.08% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.12% | 1.66% | 0.46% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.02% | 1.80% | 0.78% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 2.07% | 0.66% | 1.41% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.42% | 1.07% | 0.35% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.13% | 1.13% | 0.00% |
| WMWaste Mgmt | 1.77% | 0.34% | 1.43% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.14% | 0.96% | 0.18% |
23.1% of VYM is already inside HBTA.
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, HBTA or VYM?
HBTA has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HBTA or VYM?
HBTA has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 11.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HBTA -23.8% vs VYM -15.1%.
Should I hold both HBTA and VYM?
HBTA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 HBTA and VYM?
23.1% of VYM's money is in holdings HBTA also owns. 23.1% of VYM's is in holdings HBTA also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in HBTA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HBTA or VYM?
HBTA yields 0.58% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HBTA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.